Not sure I know exactly what to say here other than this was as devastating news as I’ve ever received in my life….Julie Stokes called me yesterday to let me know that Keith was gone….I’m still in shock…..The family is still in shock..
Keith was the most kind, caring, giving, hardworking husband, father, grandfather and the greatest live mascot handler college football has or will ever see.
So grateful that God led me to Keith about 30 years ago when I asked Coach Broyles if I could restart the Razorback live mascot program… since that time no one has ever been more committed and passionate and given more time to the Razorback athletic program through TUSK than Keith.
Thousands and thousands of hours spent with these wild Razorbacks for the past almost three decades all while he had other full time jobs. And thousands of hours talking to fans about TUSK, repeating the stories and info over and over again...didn't matter, he loved talking about TUSK.
Keith Stokes was TUSK, Keith was the live mascot program….There will never be another like him….
I can only hope to live each day moving forward to be as good a man as Keith Stokes.