John Stokes, Visionary Behind Memphis Riverfront Development, Passes Away at 86

Memphis Mourns a True Visionary

Memphis is mourning the loss of one of its prominent citizens, John Stokes. A devoted family man, an outdoor enthusiast, the first Chair of the Riverfront Development Corp., and the Vice-Chair of the well-known wealth management firm formerly known as Morgan Keegan, John Stokes passed away at 86. His commitment and dedication to the betterment of Memphis remained unwavering, even in the twilight years of his life.

“John was always invested in the community. He was not actively on as many boards as he used to be, but he was still very involved philanthropically,” said Tyree Daniels, the current chair of the Riverfront Development Corp.’s successor, Memphis River Parks Partnership.

A Champion for the Riverfront

Stokes’ notable contributions include the successful relocation of the University of Memphis’ Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law from the university’s main campus to Downtown– an initiative he spearheaded.

“John led the charge to get all the stakeholders together and make it happen. And that’s what he was known for, getting it done. He had a true vision of what he wanted the riverfront to look like, and he was very great at getting things accomplished,” Daniels recounted.

The Legacy Lives On

Carol Coletta, the President, and CEO of the Memphis Riverparks Partnership, paid tribute to Stokes’ visionary leadership. She acknowledged that his ability to turn his visions into reality continues to influence the organization.

“John was that guy who (former Memphis) Mayor (Willie) Herenton turned to when he formed the public-private partnership to manage the riverfront in a way that would do justice to it. Memphis owes him a debt of gratitude for what he helped us see.” she remarked.

Stokes’ charm and persuasion were hard to resist, making his leadership highly effective. His successful initiatives for the city landscape bear testament to his relentless commitment to the community.

A Life Well-Lived

Stokes and his wife Anne, whom he met at Vanderbilt University in the late 1950s, moved to Memphis after marrying in 1959. Stokes lived an active life outside of his influential career. His life’s stories were often engagingly covered and cherished in extensive newspaper features.

In addition to passionately serving his community, John Stokes’ love for the outdoors saw him owning properties in Arkansas, where he frequently enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Ten years prior to his retirement from Morgan Keegan in 2012, just before Raymond James absorbed the firm, Stokes, his wife, and another couple, Henri and Marsha Wedell, bought a vast 80,000-acre cattle ranch, “Los Remolinos”. The ranch was located just near the Andes Mountains in Argentina.

Remembering John Stokes

John Stokes is survived by his wife, his children Elizabeth Stokes Bran, Mim Stokes Brown, John ‘Jack’ Stokes III, and dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were not available at the time of publication.

As Memphis mourns the loss of a true visionary, John Stokes’ remarkable contributions and deep-rooted commitment to his community will continue to shape the city for years to come.