Pass the Torch: Lessons on Legacy from Ronnie and Ron Stokes Jr.

Legacy isn't built in big moments—it's built in everyday choices. In this special episode of the Be a Baller Podcast, we sit down with Ronnie Stokes, former Ohio State basketball standout and longtime Ohio State Men's Basketball Radio Network analyst, and his son, Ron Stokes Jr., former college basketball player and leader in the family's growing business.

Ronnie reflects on his parents' journey through the Jim Crow era and his determination to change the trajectory of the Stokes family for generations to come. Ron Jr. shares the moments that mattered most and the principles he's carrying forward as he continues the family legacy.

This episode is for anyone passionate about fatherhood, faith-filled leadership, entrepreneurship, and building a legacy that outlives you.

Subscribe, share this episode with someone you want to win, and join us as we continue to Pass the Torch and Build a Life-Long Legacy.

#BeABallerPodcast #PassTheTorch #RonnieStokes #Fatherhood #GenerationalLegacy #GenerationalWealth #OhioStateBasketball #FaithAndFamily #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #BuildingLegacy #LivingALegacy #BasketballLegacy

Transcript

Season Seven Legacy Kickoff

SPEAKER_04 0:00

Welcome to season seven of Be a Baller, the podcast where success isn't the goal, legacy is. This season is all about intentional living, leading with purpose, serving with faith, and leaving a mark that outlives us. We go beyond the highlights, bringing you real conversations with legacy builders from ministry, business, sports, education, and community. Leaders committed to the wisdom pledge, paying it forward to the next generation. If you're ready for faith-filled leadership and practical wisdom to live on purpose and finish strong, let's be a baller, legacy style.

SPEAKER_05 0:39

Welcome to another special Fatherhood Month edition of Pastor Torch Generational Legacy. This is a podcast where we celebrate the wisdom, values, and life lessons passed from one generation to the next. Today we have a remarkable father-son duo join us in the studio. Ronnie Stokes is a former OSU basketball standout, a longtime voice of Ohio State basketball as a radio analyst, successful entrepreneur, and devoted father. Joining him is his son, Ron Jr., a former Gehanna Lincoln High School and Walsh University basketball player and an active leader within the family's growing business empire. I'm gonna call it empire. I receive that.

SPEAKER_00 1:19

I like that.

SPEAKER_05 1:20

I receive that. The Stokes family legacy extends beyond athletics. It's a story of faith, family leadership, entrepreneurship, and intentional parenting. Together, they represent what it looks like to pass the torch from one generation to the next. Ron and Ron Jr., welcome to Pastor Torch Generational Legacy

Big Family Roots And Fatherhood

SPEAKER_05 1:39

Podcast.

SPEAKER_02 1:40

It's a pleasure to be here. Thank you. Happy to be here.

SPEAKER_05 1:43

Yeah, we're glad you're here today. You know, Ronnie, uh, we're gonna go back to uh, you know, you grew up in a blended family. Yes. Uh with 13 children in Canton, Ohio. How did that experience shape your understanding of family and fatherhood?

SPEAKER_02 1:56

Well, having a big family, there's uh more advantages than disadvantages. The one small disadvantage is that you had to learn how to eat fast. Right with a lot of food around. But uh the the advantages of just having a lot of brothers and sisters who loved on you and supported you. And and every time I see my brothers and sisters uh back in Canton, Ohio or wherever they may be today, I tell them how much they impacted my life by being that big brother, big sister as I was growing up.

SPEAKER_05 2:23

As you think about that, who are some of the people who influenced you as a young man and helped you shape the father you have become?

SPEAKER_02 2:30

Yeah, the when I was growing up in Canton, uh there was really only one person that I could remember that was uh close to me or in my inner circle that had was college educated, and that was my uh sister, or one of my older sisters' boyfriend. His name was Ronnie Suggs. I knew he was a graduate at, I believe it was Bowling Green, and and he talked different, act different. And and when he was around me, he always took the time to give me some some good words of wisdom. He coached me in the summer league, and uh unfortunately he's not with us today, but uh long remembered and and uh respected, and uh he was one of the guys that were very influential to me from an educational standpoint. Obviously, my my father was uh was a very important uh part of my life as well. What were some of those life lessons you learned from your dad? Uh how to work. I mean, I remember uh he worked in construction and just as a young kid, my mom was a stay-at-home mom. She would make his his lunch, and I would sing, you know, waking up early, going to work, and then coming home all dirty. And uh I was hoping that he would leave something in his in his lunchbox so I could eat it, right? But uh just seeing him come home and being the breadwinner and and just being there uh is an image that I will never forget, and it laid the foundation to what I have attempted to do is being a father to my children.

SPEAKER_05 3:57

You know, when you became a father, what values were most important for you and and your bride, LaVita, to install in your children?

SPEAKER_02 4:04

Well, first and foremost, be accountable. Uh we have a very simple rule uh that uh I uh I've instilled in my life and I try to in my kids be a little better than you were yesterday and be better tomorrow than you are today. Just that way, and try to impact the world in your own way. You can't change the whole world, but in your own community, in your own circle, uh just be as good as you can be and treat people like you want to be treated. And uh, those are the things that were most important. Always work hard, have a standard of excellence, and uh those are things that um I valued and tried to instill in my children. You guys have done it well.

SPEAKER_05 4:42

You've done it well. Thank you. Uh Ron Jr., let's bring you in on a conversation. Okay. What are some of the earliest memories of your father that stand out today?

SPEAKER_00 4:50

I think for one, it's just like he touched on his father. My dad was always working. And not to say that he wasn't around, because I think I knew at an early age that my dad was a hard worker and he was always there for the the good stuff, like those moments like basketball games or trials or stuff like that. And that meant a lot to me that he took the time out of his busy, his busy work, his busy time of the day to always be for those special moments. And one of the the coolest moments, I think, was when um he was coaching me, I think it was like fourth or fifth grade in AAU, and uh we were playing in his hometown, Kenton, Ohio, and I was having a really, really good game. Okay. And um somehow I was able to get away with seven fouls. I think that had to do a lot with you know him being a legend there, but it was just that that one moment together was just awesome. It was priceless. And I'll never forget that. But him being a hard worker like that's it's awesome.

SPEAKER_05 5:50

Yeah, sometimes I always share with dad said our sons, our children, period, they don't need our presence, but our presence. Yeah. You know, keep the presence, you know, keep keep the Jordans, keep all that stuff. But it's nothing more than the presence of being around. Uh Ron Jr., what lessons did you learn at home that continue to guide you as a man?

SPEAKER_00 6:11

I think uh being accountable, I like my dad just said, um, and just being a good man and a good husband, and watching my dad treat how he treated my mom and it's how he provided for the family. I just knew like I wanted to create that same pattern and lifestyle for my family I have today. And um, I have a beautiful wife at home, two beautiful daughters, and I wanted to be the man like my father. So when my daughters see me, they can look for that same type of man for their future husband and bring that home. So that's one of the big things just being accountable, being a good man and being a good husband. I'll that's I'll cherish that. That's

Sports As A Classroom For Life

SPEAKER_00 6:51

good.

SPEAKER_05 6:51

Uh Ronnie, we know you're a um sports guy. Uh sports have been a major part of your family's story. How did you use athletics as a tool to teach life lessons rather than just winning games?

SPEAKER_02 7:04

Yeah, that's the one of the one of the most beautiful things about athletics is because you're forced to do many of the things that will equate to success in any endeavor. Right? You have to respect the leadership, which ultimately is your coach, and you have to get along with your teammates, right? What ultimately could be your co-workers as you get out in the in the in the field of work, um, sacrifice, perseverance, um, being able to do all the things that you need, put the team first. Uh, those are the things that I take away from sports all the time. And I tell people this today like it to become a leader, you have to be be a follower first because you respect the leader and you do the things as a follower to allow the leader to lead. And then then you once you're in a position to be a leader, you understand what it really means. And so that that was important. I mean, I learned that all from sports.

SPEAKER_05 7:59

Uh uh Ron Jr. mentioned about you being uh being coach dad. So, how how intentional were you about separating coach dad from simply being dad?

SPEAKER_02 8:09

Yeah, it wasn't easy. And I'll tell people today to re people ask me like why were you why didn't you go into coaching? I said, uh, I'm not cut out to be a coach. I'm not.

SPEAKER_03 8:18

I I have a very low tolerance uh with uh officials, and I apologize right now for all the yelling I did to the officials when I was a coach. I didn't mean it, don't take it personal.

SPEAKER_02 8:29

Um, but it was hard because you can't help it as a parent when there's 10 players out on the court, you see your son more so than the other nine. It's just a natural thing. Uh I guess some people can do it better than others, but it was very difficult for me. That's why I didn't coach a lot.

SPEAKER_05 8:47

So you know, Ron Jr., uh what lessons from sports taught by your father have stay with you the most?

SPEAKER_00 8:54

I think it's just the work ethic. Um, he just always instilled like, because there's obviously I wasn't like the best player growing up. There's obviously better players out there, but he said if you outwork that player, you'll always stay on the floor. And I was a defensive guy like my dad, and I took that tenacity on the court, especially on the defensive side, to stay in the game and just do and did whatever I had to do to win the game. I was a team first guy, and my dad said, Look, he's like, you don't have to make every point, but the one thing that I want you to do is make sure you work hard and you make your free throws. That's the one thing that my dad always taught us when it came to being on the court. And that those lessons um helped me in life and what I'm doing today.

SPEAKER_05 9:36

You know, uh Ronnie uh Jr. Ronnie Jr. You look back, was there a moment during your basketball journey when your father's advice made a significant difference?

SPEAKER_00 9:47

Yeah, I um going into my um junior year of uh college at Walsh, um the season wasn't going the um the best that I would liked it to be. And um my dad, we had just a sit-down conversation, and he's like, Look, I I know you can play, but the one thing I need you to do, just get with your coach and um just work out after practice and just do the little things, do the little things every day and be a great teammate. And because of that, because I could have gone the route of like just being um uh upset that I wasn't playing, but it ended up being a good thing. I had a positive mindset, and now I have a great relationship with my coach, and some of the players that were quote unquote good don't even talk to that head coach anymore, but I still have a great relationship with him. So just taking the high road that is bigger than basketball, it's the it's not how you start, it's how you finish. And that's what my mom and dad, especially my dad, have taught me. And um, I think that was one of the most important things I got from that.

Faith As The Family Foundation

SPEAKER_05 10:46

You know, Ronnie, uh, your daughter Amber, and you became the first father-daughter captains in Ohio State uh basketball history. What did that accomplishment mean to you as a father?

SPEAKER_02 10:58

Wow, uh yeah, when you look at the history of Ohio State to be in that category, and uh someone mentioned, you know, first father-daughter duel, first daughter uh captain duel. Uh that speaks volumes to what her work ethic was because she worked hard, she fell in love with athletics, and uh God gifted her with a lot of skill set, a lot of talent, and she worked hard to maximize it. And I was fortunate to to go to Ohio State as well. So for it all to come together, she had options to go to other schools, but she ultimately chose to go to Ohio State. And so when you look back on it, uh Columbus, Ohio is like a second home for me. Uh the people here in Columbus, the fans, have always treated me well, even today at age 63. I still get people coming up to me remembering moments back when in the 1980s. And I marvel at the fact that they remember all this stuff better than I do in some cases. And but to to honor uh my daughter and I by just speaking um positively about us, it means a lot to her and I. And I was all I will always cherish that.

SPEAKER_05 12:03

You know, as we talk about um this podcast, it's about legacy, but it's also about faith. Right. Uh can you talk about how important that faith has been, has helped you in raising your children?

SPEAKER_02 12:13

Yeah, I mean, I I'm I'm a believer and and and I think that and feel and and that that is a very integral part of being a a man and having a successful family and understanding the principles of what it takes to be a godly man and having a godly home and being a provider and being a supporter of not only just your your wife, but being the leader for your children, uh being a better person in your community, all that uh stems back to my faith and what I believe in. So it's very vital. And I'm so happy that I have those those guidelines and principles and standards in my life because I feel that it's it's equated to my success that I have, and and I didn't do it by myself, obviously, but um it's it's been very rewarding to know that I have a heavenly father and I have that ability to talk to him and and uh utilize all of the gifts that he's given me in life.

SPEAKER_05 13:12

You know, Ron Jr., what was it like growing up in a household of faith?

SPEAKER_00 13:17

Um, well, I just knew we always had to be on church on that Sunday, uh, no matter what. And um they my mom and dad did a great job, you know, put us in, put us in that position. Um we have a great pastor, Pastor Forbes at Columbus Christian Center. Love that guy. He's been he's known me his whole life. Um, was baptized when I was a little kid, baptized when I was a grown man, and then he was he officiated our wedding. So I know faith is very important. You got to put God first um in business and your relationships. And again, I get that from my mom and dad, and um, I try to instill that into my kids that have now. Awesome.

Ending Poverty Through Education And Assets

SPEAKER_05 13:51

You know, uh the title of this podcast is Pass the Torch. Uh Ronnie, what does that what does passing the torch mean to you?

SPEAKER_02 13:58

Yeah, man, this is this is one passionate thing about me. I get really emotional because, you know, when I look at my mom and dad, I lost both of them. They're no longer living now. Um but they instilled in me work ethic. Um, both of them grew up during Jim Crow. A lot of people don't, you know, these younger kids don't know what that means. That's that's a very negative part of America. You know, America is one of the greatest countries in the world, but just like any country, there there's some scars and some things that it's not proud about. But Jim Crow didn't allow a lot of people of color to thrive. And my mom and dad grew up there in an era, and they made a point to make sure, like most parents are, to they want their kids to be better than what they were. So they instilled in me about working hard, getting educated. I was very fortunate to get a scholarship at Ohio State, and that gave me access to uh education and to a network that I've been able to take advantage of. So, you know, going back to that, that was a very, very powerful time for me. And I knew at that moment when I got educated and I learned about wealth and uh a little bit how to create it, I knew that the the days of poverty in the Stokes family was going to be ended. Yep.

SPEAKER_05 15:18

You know, as your children become adults now, how is your role as a father evolved?

SPEAKER_02 15:24

Because you know it changes a little bit. Well, you never stop being a parent. Okay it's just at as your children evolve and as they grow older, they need different things from you. Obviously, when they're infants, they need to do they need you to do every single thing. But now it's advice, and I'm so happy that I'm in a position that I I've been through some things, I've I've learned some things, I've gained some wisdom, that I can impart some of that wisdom to them. And I cur encourage them all the time, call me. I'm here for you. Uh, the one thing that by having your mom and dad alive in this world, you have two people that their only goal in life is for you to win. And so to have somebody like that, even if it's just two people, that's pretty special.

SPEAKER_05 16:11

You know, Ron Jr., as you look at this, this passing the torch, and I'll use analogy uh in track, you know, you can't drop that baton. Right. You drop that baton, you know, it's hard to win that race, you know, and we have to make sure we get it to the next generation. So, Ron Jr., what are some values or principles your father has passed down that you hope to carry forward?

SPEAKER_00 16:33

I just I think the one thing, the two things are just accountability and worth ethic. Like I stated before, like growing up, I just always seen my dad work harder than everybody else. Um he's a very hard working and he's a great man, he's a great father. And those just those two things, accountability and hard and hard work and work ethic, are those two key factors because I've seen him take multiple businesses from the ground up to just multi-million dollar companies. And, you know, he didn't do it alone, but he took the time to educate himself, you know, uh get the tools to do that, and um, and now he's put his his kids in a in a place where I don't have to have that same struggle. And I think it's my duty to take full advantage of that and just take it to the next level. So I'm just really excited um for that opportunity uh to do that. Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 17:28

I keep so you guys keep circling back to that, and I keep getting excited about this accountability and work ethic, you know, which is something that's truly needed today, in today's time. And so, when as you think about Ron Jr., um as you began to think about that, what when did you realize? What was that moment you realized your father's influence was showing up in your own decisions? Where uh do you find yourself saying some things that that you heard him say to your kids or the people? Where was that moment?

SPEAKER_00 17:56

It was a year after college, and my dad is big on um just time management and just making sure like you're having to-do lists, right? So at one point he was asking me to make calendar invites. I'm like, dad, I don't need to do that, man. I'll I'll remember stuff, right? Then I was countlessly forgetting stuff. Right, right. So so now like it's like clockwork. Whenever we have a meeting or an important task, it always goes in the calendar. And my wife jokes about me today because uh even for dates or whatever, it has to, if it's not in the calendar, it does not happen. So I get that from my dad, but it's that accountability piece, right? Like it you have to manage your time right because if if you're not, you're wasting time, and time is money.

SPEAKER_05 18:40

So in the calendar, huh? It has to be in the calendar. I don't know. We missed that. Yeah, we have to miss that trip. Right, exactly. You know, uh uh Ronnie, um, what are some things uh uh that that you have taught your children have taught you as a father?

SPEAKER_02 19:04

Wow, um to listen. And because as a parent, um obviously you you're in a position of authority, and you've brought, you've raised them, and they're kids and you're giving them information, but they they get to a point, uh even at a young age, that they have a spirit, they have a mind, they have knowledge, and they taught me to be a better listener. There's times where I've had conversations with them, and my initial takeaway was, hey, I see it this way, and then later having another conversation with them when I really listen more, like, wow, I didn't hear that the first time, but now I'm hearing it because I'm I'm I'm dedicating the appropriate listening skills to hear what they're actually saying. So I think the biggest thing is just respecting their their viewpoint because they've earned the right. They they're great kids, uh they're not perfect, no one is, but they've done all the good things that you would want as a parent to see in your children.

SPEAKER_05 20:04

That's good. You know, uh, and this is for both of y'all being uh one generation to another generation. Uh what are some conversations you feel like fathers need to have today with their children that aren't happening today?

SPEAKER_02 20:20

Um our world is changing um sometimes in a bad way, but um I I think the the the biggest thing is still stay true to your principles. Um and and it happens especially in business where as you become more successful, um you're gonna be exposed to more deals. And and then as the deals come in, you you have to make sure you maintain your business principle when you evaluate those deals and whether you should do those deals and who you should go in business with. So I think I think that the biggest thing is just maintaining your principles in every aspect of your life. Don't compromise who you are just for the almighty dollar. Right. Uh so that's the thing that I take away at age 63 is that I d the dollar isn't driving me. Yes, you need money to survive in this world, but dollar is not the thing that's driving me.

SPEAKER_05 21:16

It's not what you've seen as a young man.

SPEAKER_00 21:20

Well, uh I piggyback off of what my dad says, but I think decision making and um just making um the right choices. And like I've my mom and dad, they've always said, like, you know, show me your friends and I'll show you what your future will be. Yeah. And I took that to heart at a very young age, and I knew as I got older and got into this world, I never wanted to disrespect the Stokes name. So I took pride in that to make sure what wherever I was, I made sure that I was, you know, respecting that name. Not to mention everyone knew who they were. So I knew it would end up getting back to them eventually. But but but yeah, make just having um just Making good decisions.

SPEAKER_02 22:01

Yeah, I just to add to that, like I I heard this from someone, I can't remember who to give this credit to is like, you know, find someone in life that you don't want to embarrass, right? So whenever there's a tough decision, just think of that that person. And then the other thing I remember where the former CEO of American Express, Ken Chennault, came to Columbus, Ohio and was a guest speaker. He said, uh, find people in your life that enjoy when you're winning. Truly enjoy when you're winning. Not someone who smiles in your face, but behind your back, they're wishing that you don't succeed. People who genuinely enjoy when you're winning at something.

SPEAKER_05 22:39

That's good. That's a good word.

Building A Family Business That Lasts

SPEAKER_05 22:41

You know, your family, uh, Ronnie successfully built businesses together through Lars, properties, and three lead productions. How did the vision for a family business begin?

SPEAKER_02 22:52

Yes, and when I tell this story, people laugh. Uh, as a kid, uh there was um shows on TV called Good Times that uh talked about a family that was living in the projects, and then there was one called Um The Jeffersons. Oh, yeah. And George Jefferson, and quite the contrast, right? You had a a black, strong black male who had uh rose up and had a number of uh dry uh dry cleaners, and he was living in this big uh high-rise and very wealthy and and was not afraid to speak his mind. And I remember just watching those shows as a young kid, and that really inspired me. Like, man, I want to be a business owner. So I remember having a bank that I used to have with me all the time, and I would any people, what's a bank? It was like a little it was like a little bank where you could put coins in and save money as a little bank, right? And I had it, and I think the maximum amount of money you could have in it was like ten dollars or something. But I carried it around with me and I would put money in and I would save, and I even have a picture today of me holding this bank with my brothers and sisters. But I, for whatever reason, it was in me to like save money and and uh it was crazy. I was like 10 years old or eight years old doing that. So that would inspire me watching and seeing something, and and then there's truth to that, right? When you can see yourself and someone else that's doing something positive, then you can believe that you can do it, even though it was a comedy series, but there was some a lot of seriousness in that movie that really inspired me from a business standpoint.

SPEAKER_05 24:29

That's good. You know, that the name Lars um represents each of your children. Why was it so important to build something uh that reflected your family's identity?

SPEAKER_02 24:40

Well, as I said earlier, my mom and dad was uh they were born and raised during Jim Crow. So the financial uh disparity between blacks and whites and other races in the country was significant. It's still significant today. And so as I became educated and learned about how to build wealth, I made it a point that I wanted to change the direction of my family. And I knew that came by way of acquiring assets. One of the first ways that you can develop wealth is having a home. So I instilled in my kids that as you grow older, get a home and then acquire assets, spend less than what uh you bring in. And then over time that builds up. Uh, I've taught them to begin buying stocks, uh, good company stocks that are um that pay dividends and do a little bit every single month, and then over time, that's how you build wealth. And so I took those things that I learned from other people who were more successful than me. I copied from what they did and just did it. And as over time, uh I was put in a position where I could buy a business. I took those principles that I learned as an athlete, rolled up my sleeves, and I got after it and put surrounded myself with people who wanted me to win and shared the same vision. And then, you know, 20 years later, we're reaping the benefits from it.

SPEAKER_05 26:07

That's good. Ron Jr., what has it been like working alongside your parents and siblings in the family? Are you chuckling already?

SPEAKER_03 26:18

We had a good fun board meeting back then. Yeah, yeah. We have board meetings. Yeah, it's um business.

SPEAKER_00 26:27

It's it has its pros and cons, but I would tell anybody it has way more pros than cons. I know I talked with some friends and family who who say they can't work with their mom and dad or their brothers and sisters, and I said, Well, I don't have that for me. Like I can work with my mom and dad. And um, yes, I tell you, my dad's intense, but there's a reason for that. Um, he's where he's at today because of that intensity and that tenacity. So I don't take offense. Um I I believe, and he'll tell I can take constructive criticism because I'm learning from somebody who's been there, done that. So, and my thought process as well, why would I go work for somebody else when I can work along somebody who's done it and where I want to be? And not to mention he's my father, it's my mother, it's my sisters. That's it's a win-win to me. So he's like I said before, my mom and dad have put my sisters in a phenomenal position to be successful. So I feel it's my duty to take advantage of that.

SPEAKER_02 27:29

Well, Tim, I think it's an easy formula. Um, and it's not just for your family, but for any business partnership. Like you agree to do whatever you agree to and commit to doing it and do it. And then don't change it. And so if you say you're gonna work 40 hours a week and you're gonna split the profits 50-50 and split the the losses 50-50, that's the deal. Yeah, right? So don't change it, Omi. That's the deal. Do what you say you're going to do. So when we have our family meetings and we have board meetings because it's Lars is Laurel, Amber, Ronnie, Sydney. That's what Lars stands for. And we're all owners of the company. When we have our board meetings, we talk about the the good, and we have very little bad. Um, but in business, you're gonna have some stuff bad that happens. But um the key, the key is is preparing for the bad and eliminating the bad so you have more good than bad. But we just want to we're we're honest with each other. I think that's the biggest thing. And so I think we've been able to thrive from that because of the honesty and the commitment that we have in our business.

SPEAKER_00 28:39

And we don't want to mess with the big boss, and that's mom. So she we don't like phone calls, so you better do what you're supposed to do. Her title is security. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 28:50

That's her title. She's head of security. Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 28:54

So I'm like, you guys got some great stories. You don't have to close the door with the meetings. Like a little intense idiot.

SPEAKER_03 29:05

And she doesn't like long meetings. No, she doesn't. She says, get to the point, let's do it. And get it what's what's the point? She always gets on me about it.

SPEAKER_05 29:14

Right. You know, sounds like it's a good balance. Oh, it's fun, man. It's fun, right?

SPEAKER_03 29:18

We have a great time.

SPEAKER_05 29:19

Yeah, as we kind of come around the corner. Um, what do you hope future generations of the Stokes family remember most about the foundation being built today?

SPEAKER_02 29:29

Remember where it started. Um, you know, one of the things that I'm gonna take great pride in, we're in the uh midst of uh doing an addition to our uh one of our buildings, uh, some land that we own. We're gonna add an addition to it, uh a structure to it, and and I'm gonna honor my mom uh and dad by uh naming part of it uh uh in their likeness um and being able to leave that legacy to say, hey, it didn't just start with uh Ron and Levita Stokes, it started with my mom and dad laying the foundation. So I think the the biggest thing that I'm gonna that I want to leave when when I leave this earth is that I made a difference not only with my family, but my community and remembering the folks who helped me get there.

SPEAKER_05 30:15

Ron Jr., you have two daughters. Well, what is what are you what are your thoughts that they'll that they'll remember about the Stokes family?

SPEAKER_00 30:23

They're gonna know that their uh their grandfather, we call him Poppy, and their um grandmother, they call her Nana, that they worked extremely hard and sacrificed a lot to provide the foundation that we have today. And um I've I'm sure I've told my my dad this before, but I just hope to be half the man that he is because you know he wears many hats and that Stokes name, because I'm named after my dad, Ronnie Franklin Ray Stokes Jr. And those are some big shoes to fill. And I used to be nervous about it when I was younger, um, but now um I embrace it and I'm just excited to um continue his legacy in his name and just make it bigger. Um I can I hope he's here for a long, long time. Um, because I just want to soak up that knowledge and um continue to help him build um what he wants to do.

SPEAKER_05 31:14

That's that's well said. I have a son named after me. And now I TJ used to be my son, you know, but now I'm his He's the one. Right. He's the guy now. Yeah. So he's the guy now. And that's how we want it to be. Right. You know, he's the guy. You know, he's standing up on his own, and I'm just I'm just riding his name now. You know, I'm getting in places because of his name.

SPEAKER_02 31:37

That's you know, the one of the biggest compliments I get as a parent is when I walk like one of our buildings, one of our buildings, we have a bunch of tenants in there, and they'll they'll say, Man, that you taught your son well.

SPEAKER_03 31:49

He he's just like you times 10. And I say, Yeah, that's it. He's on time, he's gonna do this and that. That's how we taught him.

SPEAKER_02 31:58

So and but he's taken what I've learned, and the biggest thing that I've said to him, or one of the biggest things I've said to him is learn from my mistakes so that you don't make those mistakes and be better at things with that. He's Ronnie's better with people. He he he's learned from me, and uh, I I see his he's a better version of me, and I love seeing that.

What They Want Remembered

SPEAKER_05 32:18

You know, as we as we wrap up, we're gonna close with uh fatherhood rapid fire. Okay, all right. No need long answers now. Okay, short. Rapid fire, I got it. So we'll start with uh Ron Jr. What word what's one word that best describes your father? Intense. Intense. All right, good. We're gonna leave it there though. We're gonna leave it there. Uh Dad, what's what's one lesson every son should learn from his father?

SPEAKER_02 32:47

One thing that every son should learn from his father. One thing that a son should learn from his father. Um wow. Man, that's a great question. Um one thing how to be how to truly be a man of God. Because once you're that, everything else falls into place.

SPEAKER_05 33:14

That's good. Ron Jr., one lesson every father should learn from the children. What what should dad be learning from you all?

SPEAKER_00 33:23

That's a good one. Um I think um just to listen and uh learn to understand their children.

SPEAKER_05 33:33

Uh this for both of you are what's a what's your favorite family tradition?

SPEAKER_02 33:39

I'll go first. Uh the the one thing for me is uh family trips. So we're fortunate, we're business owners, so we strategically schedule a business retreat that turns into a family vacation. Um and according to all the tax codes, that's legal and we do that. And uh but those are my favorite moments because we get together as a family, rent a big house, and we're the there and we do business and then have fun.

unknown 34:05

Nice.

SPEAKER_00 34:06

I think uh it's Christmas time um and putting that tree together. My mom, since I was a little kid, I always look forward to that time where we got to put the tree up. And I don't know where this came from, but anywhere, anytime I traveled or went to a different state or anything like that, I'd always make it a point to get my mom an ornament from that place. And then we put it on the tree and it would get bigger and bigger. And now that we have um now that I have grandchildren there, they're there to help my mom put the tree together, and it's just that's a special time um with her that I'll I'll always cherish.

SPEAKER_05 34:43

What is one thing you're most proud of each other?

SPEAKER_02 34:48

Um the most proud hearing other people say great things about him. That he's uh every time they're around him, he's always smiling and he makes the place better. When I hear people say that, I just well up with pride and joy and emotion, and I can't put a price on that.

SPEAKER_00 35:16

I would say the same because a lot of my um my dad's friends speak very highly of my dad, um how a great man he is, how a great husband he is. But one thing I I love is how far our relationship has grown as father and son, because I know some father-sons' relationships can be um difficult, especially when working with one another. But I think that our relationship has grown tremendously um in that aspect.

SPEAKER_05 35:44

Good, good. Last question. Uh, if you could leave one message for fathers listening today, what would it be?

SPEAKER_02 35:52

Embrace every moment that you have on this earth and tell your family that you love them every single day. That's it. Every single day.

SPEAKER_00 36:04

I did all that. Um take the time, treasure those moments, whether it's a text or a phone call and um I do this, I try to um text my mom

Rapid Fire Fatherhood Wisdom

SPEAKER_00 36:18

or even my dad or just give him a phone call. Just it hasn't been long, but like, hey, how you doing today? Do you need anything? And my mom will tell you that. She'll say she knows that her son Ron Jr. got him, got her. Because I'll make sure that she's okay. So I just like I said, I just cherish those little moments and reach out to your loved ones because life is short.

SPEAKER_05 36:38

That's good. Wow. What an inspiring conversation with Ronnie Stokes and Ron Jr. Their story reminds us that legacy isn't simply about what we leave behind, it's what we intentionally invest in the lives of others every day. Whether faith, family, sports, business, or simply being present. Fathers have an incredible opportunity to pass the torch to the next generation. So I want to thank you all for joining us for this special fatherhood episode of Pass the Torch Generational Legacy. This has truly been a joy for me. Um I just gotta throw this in. Ronnie Sr. is intense. In a good way. In a good way. And I've never seen him laugh as much, smile as much today. I was 24 years. I've never seen that. You done brought something out of him today. You can loosen him up, smiling, having a good time. Now to leave out the studio, he's gonna be back to business. Exactly. At least right now. Yeah, we're having fun. It's

Closing Thoughts Sponsor And Next Steps

SPEAKER_05 37:36

been good. It's been good. Be sure to subscribe, share this episode with a father, son, mentor, or family member. And remember, the greatest legacy you'll ever leave is the impact you make on the people you love. Until next time, keep building, keep leading, and keep passing the torch. Thank you guys for being part of the show today. Thank you.

SPEAKER_00 37:54

It's a pleasure to hear you.

unknown 37:55

Thank you.

SPEAKER_01 37:55

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SPEAKER_04 38:15

Thank you for spending time with us here on Be a Baller Podcast. Remember, legacy isn't built by accident. It's built through daily choices, faithful obedience, and intentional impact. If today's conversation encouraged you, challenged you, or spoke to your heart, share this episode with a friend, a teammate, a leader, or someone who's ready to live with purpose. That simple act of sharing helps us grow the movement and spread legacy-minded living. We want to invite you to join the legacy movement. This is more than a podcast, it's a call to action. And one of the best ways to go deeper is by grabbing your copy of the book Living a Legacy. It's a powerful resource designed to help you apply what you're hearing and start building something that truly lasts. Until next time, keep showing up, keep pouring into others, and keep building a legacy worth following. Thanks for listening, and remember, be a baller. Live on purpose. Leave a legacy.