In Memory: Ed Stokes, Founder Of Diablo Foods, Lafayette

LAFAYETTE, CA - The founder and patriarch of Diablo Foods in Lafayette, Ed Stokes, passed away Wednesday morning after spending the day surrounded by family, friends and loving caregivers.

Highly regarded and active in the community, Stokes was dubbed the "Honorary Mayor of Lafayette."

“Ed personified the best of Lafayette," said city Mayor Don Tatzin. “I had the privilege of serving as mayor while recognizing Ed was the true mayor of our community.”

He was named Lafayette’s “Citizen of the Year” and holds the distinction of being the only two-time Lafayette “Businessperson of the Year” awardee. He was also honored as the 2012 Distinguished "Citizen of the Year."

"Ed was a tremendous individual and supported the community in many ways," Lafayette city officials said. "When he launched Diablo Foods in Lafayette 50 years ago, Ed worked the checkout stand 12 hours a day for two straight years. His wife, Betty, put in long hours behind the deli counter for many years. Both Ed and Betty continued their active presence at the store for decades and knew their customers personally."

Stokes served for 12 years on the Northern California Grocers Association board and in 2010 was named “Retailer of the Year” by the California Independent Grocers Association.

"His generosity, friendliness, ability to seemingly be everywhere, and business practices set a standard we should all try to emulate,” Tatzin said.

Born in South Carolina and raised in North Carolina, Stokes worked as a clerk during high school and served in the Marine Corps in World War II. Diablo Foods, launched in 1968, is located at 3615 Mt. Diablo Blvd.

As an independent grocer, Stokes led his family business with a philosophy: “While some things change, the important things don’t – good service, fairness, quality, and friendliness know no compromise – they matter in business and they matter in life.”

Diablo Foods was voted the No. 1 specialty food store in Contra Costa Country by Diablo Magazine in 2011, and Stokes and Diablo Foods were recognized as the “Best Independent Grocer” by the California Independent Grocery Association in 2011.

Committed to public service, Stokes served as president of Lafayette’s Chamber of Commerce, participated in the Rotary Club and the Town Hall Theatre and also was known for his fried chicken lunches served on his birthday.

The grateful community, in turn, showed its appreciation for his service over the years with numerous honors and awards, including the Stauffer Acalanes Friend of Education Award, a Marine Corps League Award, the Humanitarian Award by the Soroptimist Club and the Paul Harris Fellow Award from Lafayette Rotary.

The Stokes family also were proud supporters of Lafayette schools and multiple charities in town for five decades, with his local philanthropy setting an example for other local businesses to follow, city officials said.

“Ed’s passing makes me sad, but also grateful that I was able to spin in Ed’s orbit for a couple of decades," said city manager Steve Falk. "His unbounded generosity served as an example for us all, and I am a better person because I had the great gift of knowing Ed Stokes.”

A celebration of Ed’s life is being planned.

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