Stephen Stokwitz, age 72, of Poteet, Texas, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at the Heights of Atascosa surrounded by loving friends and caretakers. Steve was born on February 7, 1951 in Annadale, Virginia. He was the son of Stanley and Mary Stokwitz.

Surviving family includes his son, Colton Stokwitz of San Diego, California, and many friends throughout the country.

Steve graduated from Virginia Military Institute with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1973 and served in the United States Army. He earned a Juris Doctorate from the Antioch School of Law in Washington D.C. in May 1978. Thereafter, Steve had a long career working in the legal profession. He first served as a law clerk for Attorney Edward Bennett Williams in Washington, D.C. Thereafter, he was employed as an attorney for the federal government in California, before spending the majority of his legal career serving the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as counsel for the Department of Transportation.

Steve was very active in local youth sports including baseball and soccer. He also donated much of his time to charitable organizations in California, Pennsylvania, and Texas. During his life Steve was an avid rugby player. He played for his college team at VMI, and he played for various rugby leagues in the Washington, D.C. area, as well as California. He also played rugby while he resided in New Zealand and was the only American who played on the National All-Star team. In addition to rugby, Steve was very active in the rodeo where he excelled as a bull rider, and held memberships in national, Canadian, and international rodeo associations. Steve actively contributed time and energy to local youth sports in Harrisburg, including baseball and soccer. Likewise, he also donated much of his time to children's organizations in California, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

Upon retirement in 2007 from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Steve relocated to his beloved ranch in Poteet, Texas. Steve worked with the Wounded Warriors Program at the San Antonio Military Medical Center, where he provided legal services, and also brought his service dog to spend time with the veterans. In 2010, he was admitted to the Texas bar and performed pro bono legal services part-time, from his home. Otherwise, he loved spending time with his dogs, horses, and many neighbors and friends.

Steve had a very refined sense of humor and was always ready to banter back and forth with friends and colleagues. He was always caring and supportive to anyone he came in contact with, and he was a loyal friend to all those who were fortunate enough to meet him. Steve spent a significant amount of his time on this earth in service to others, and he certainly was a positive impact upon the lives of others. Simply stated, he will be missed. A private service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Steve's alma mater, Virginia Military Institute.