Dennis Michael Stoker
1946-2022
Dennis Michael Stoker – devoted husband, father, brother, grandpa, and uncle – passed away peacefully in his home on May 2, 2022, after a brief illness. He also battled courageously with cancer in recent years.
Always a mentor, leader, and friend, Dennis was an example of loving-kindness, intelligence, friendship, support, generosity, and a genuine concern for all of those around him.
Born June 6, 1946, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Denny was the youngest of four children born to Roy Leahmer and Joyce Arlene (McTwiggan) Stoker. He grew up and attended school in Council Bluffs where he graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School. He was a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and married his high school sweetheart, Peggy Jo Thornton, in the Salt Lake Temple on Dec. 29, 1966. Denny attended the University of Nebraska and began working in the retail and drug store industry, where he advanced quickly into management in his early 20s, starting a 47-yr career working for stores including Katz, Skaggs Drug Stores, Osco Drug, Payless Drug, and Rite-Aid. His career led his family to many different places and allowed them to create lifelong friendships all along the way. The Stoker Family lived in Council Bluffs, IA; Omaha, NE; Florissant, MO; Las Vegas/Henderson, NV; Orange, CA; Corona, CA; St. Joseph, MO; Topeka, KS, and finally settled in Sandy, UT, where they have lived since March of 1986.
Denny’s greatest treasure was Family, and his favorite hobby was doing anything with his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He loved visiting with friends and neighbors and traveling to visit his many family members. He also loved mystery novels and could often be found watching golf and reading various books by John Grisham.
Denny had a deep commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and was grateful to serve in every church calling, especially those where he could work with the youth. His love and kindness, which radiated through his service to others, were known by everyone. He served as a Seminary, Sunday School, and Primary Teacher, Young Men's President, Stake & Ward Clerk, Bishopric Counselor, Executive Secretary, High Councilor, and Bishop. He also had the opportunity to serve a Salt Lake Inner-City mission and in the Draper Utah Temple.
He will be greatly missed and many memories will be treasured by all those who survive him, including his wife of 55 years, Peggy Jo (Thornton) Stoker, their 4 children: Mindy & Randy Vail, South Jordan, UT; Chad & Azure Stoker, Oakridge, NC; Derek & Denise Stoker, Layton, UT; Joel & Shanelle Stoker, Corning, NY, and adopted granddaughter, Josie Stoker, Salt Lake City, UT, daughter of Amy Stoker, who preceded him in death in 2003.
Grandpa Denny also leaves 20 adoring grandchildren: Jessica Holtey, Nathaniel, Ammon, Lili, and Jonah DeForest, Madalyn Daniel, Hannah Lambson; Cameron, Alison, Haley, and Joely Stoker, Emily Godin; Adreanna Boatwright, Tyler, Trevor, and Cody Stoker; Jacob, Sophie, Genevive, and Charlotte Stoker. He also leaves 17 great-grandchildren who adored him as well. He is also survived by a devoted sister, Barbara (Del) Bunch, Council Bluffs, IA and brother, Roy “Toke” Stoker, Jr., Stockton, IA. Denny is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Amy Stoker, and sister Uneta Neighbors.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 7th at 2:00 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Crescent North Stake, 1050 East 10600 South, Sandy, UT. Friends and family may call prior to the funeral from 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm or Friday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, 1950 East 10600 South. Interment will be at Larkin Sunset Gardens.
To view the COMPLETED services via Zoom click the "Watch Services" button or follow the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/0fFwjCtLKqsRxQI9pTKuX50IfohMAKlmjPyPHSZuZkbFus35MEtj6eln2Tjs6DI.XuD0K0Af-vdrkNNY?startTime=1651952307000
I am so sorry for your loss my dear friend.
Hi Peggy and Family
I am so sorry to hear of Denny’s passing. I remember all the Thorntons and Denny so well from the CB ward. I was in his seminary class and he sometimes drove us back to school. He was such a great guy. Peggy was such a blessed lady to have him for 55 plus years in her life. He truly served in the gospel and the world. I am pleased to call him and his family “friends”. Prayers are with you at this tender time. Love Cheryl
Peggy, I am so sorry to hear about your loss of Denny. My thoughts & prayers are with you. There are no words.
Sincerely,
Connie
We are so sorry, please know your family here in Texas have you all in our prayers. Sending our love,
Mitch, Brenda and Mallory Neighbors
Oh we are so sad. You have our love & prayers.
I'd like to extend my deepest sympathy to the Stoker family. I will always remember Denny Stoker as my early morning seminary teacher while I was in high school. He was kind, caring, and a lot of fun. He united our seminary class through our class photos and activities. I was so happy to see him a few years ago when he and Peggy attended the funeral of one of my parents. My prayers are with the family at this time of loss. But what a great comfort it must be to know that he was true to the faith and that he positively impacted others, including me.
No better man has walked the earth. Now to walk the halls of heaven.
Dear Peggy and Family, There are not words I can think of to express my thoughts at this time, my heart goes out to you, Dennis is again making way for your next adventure. He will truly be missed by all.
Words cannot express what my heart feels at this time. Dennis always treated everyone with such kindness & understanding. He was a pleasure to work for. A genuinely compassionate, honest & sincerely gentle soul. May your loved ones be flooded with peace to fill that giant empty place you've left behind.
We were sorry to learn of Dennis passing. He is a wonderful man with many spiritual gifts. We send our deepest sympathies to you and your family at this tender time. May your memories bring you peace and comfort.
Dear Peggy - Loving thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We are also mourning the loss of Bishop Stoker and we are so grateful that we were blessed to know and love him, too!! What a great man!! He had a huge impact on our lives personally, and he will be greatly missed! Love you!!
Our family has suffered a great loss my sincerest condolences to you all !My mom Judi talked highly of Denny !May God grant him his Angel wings!Rest in peace cousin Denny!I just found out sorry I wasn't there!Love you all
I am so sorry for your loss my dear friend.
Peggy and family, my heart is breaking after hearing of Dennis’s passing. He was a true gentleman and he was a good friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you and may he RIP. A bright new star will be shining. Cec And Larry Van Tassell
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.I had the privilege of working with Dennis many years .He was a wonderful and kind man.I pray all the family will be comforted at this time.
Uncle Denny will surely be missed. He was loved by everyone who meet him. The service was very good. I enjoyed listening to all of his kids, Josie. grandson and daughter In law with their stories.
Thanks for allowing us to watch on line.
Love you all!