Harry Carlyle Stakes, Jr. left this world and his family after battling a brief illness to be with his Lord and Savior at 1:30pm on September 19, 2026.
Carlyle was 82 years old, born on November 29, 1943, in Houston TX, to the late Lt. Col. Harry Carlyle Stakes, Sr. and Ethel Christine Eubanks Stakes. Carlyle’s father, Col. Harry C. Stakes was a career Army Infantry officer serving in World War 2 and Korea. During Col. Stakes’ military service, the family lived throughout the U.S. and Germany.
Carlyle was an Eagle Scout and graduated from Brownwood High School in 1962. He then attended Texas A&I Kingsville, where he was a founding father of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He graduated from Saint Mary’s University in San Antonio in 1969. While in college he followed in his grandfather’s, Major Douglas Wesley Stakes’ and father’s footsteps by joining the Texas Army National Guard during the Vietnam War, serving as a third generation infantry officer in the 36th Infantry Division and reaching the rank of Captain.
Carlyle was very patriotic and was extremely proud when his son, Cullen C. Stakes made the decision to join the US Army, after the attack on 9/11. Captain Cullen C. Stakes served during combat operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan becoming the fourth-generation Infantry officer in the 36th Division.
After college, Carlyle went to work as an accountant and later transitioned into sales working for Victoria Air Conditioning, IBM computers, Elder Oil Tools, Baker Oil Tools and Weatherford Oil Tools. Selling was his forte and talking was his joy. Carlyle knew most of the population of Cuero and surrounding areas. He was a remarkable storyteller and had thousands of them.
Carlyle was active in his community for many years, serving on the Cuero ISD school board for 12 years and the Cuero regional hospital board of directors. He also served as church treasurer at the Presbyterian Church and over saw the construction of the covered pavilion known at the church without walls. He was also a member of the Cuero Rotary and then held many leadership positions while a member of the First Baptist Church in Cuero.
In early years, Carlyle loved to play tennis and so did his wife, Imogene. Imogene and Carlyle were married for 36 years. They were the Cuero fun couple entertaining a host of friends. Carlyle also co-founded the annual DeWitt County Pescadores fishing tournament alongside Bobby Lane and Jeff Hudson.
He enjoyed a healthy life filled with hunting and fishing, and loved the outdoors, but his family was always his priority.
Carlyle is survived by his wife, Imogene Pedraza Stakes; his brother, Douglas T. Stakes, D.C of Austin and his wife Janet Stakes; his son, Cullen Carlyle Stakes of Yorktown, TX; his grandchildren, Stella Stakes and Sadie Stakes; his stepson, Rodney B. Pedraza and his wife Deborah; step-grandchildren, Mia Pedraza, Kendall White and Lauren Miller; and step-great-grandchildren, Anna and Ella Miller.
Carlyle was a patriotic American, faithful friend, Christian, devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and he never met a stranger.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Gobble Gobble! We can’t wait to see all you fine folks there. Let’s celebrate community, music, and the spirit of Cuero. Bring your friends, your family, and your best turkey dance moves!
