We don’t do a blog post for every community spotlight. But sometimes God puts people in your path and you just know — their story has to be told. This is one of those times.

We recently attended the Adventure Bandits Bash in Onalaska, Texas. It was a great rally — good people, good food, good campfire energy. But I knew from the very first day why we were really there. I was there to meet Thomas Stokes and his sweet wife, Denise.

I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that sitting down with them was a conversation that reminded me why I do this.

Meet Thomas and Denise Stokes

Thomas Stokes III is a man rooted in three things: faith, family, and music. For 40 years, he has walked through life alongside his wife Denise — his partner in every sense, his best friend, and the love of his life. Together they’ve built a family grounded in faith, laughter, and shared purpose, and today they pour themselves into every moment with their children and grandchildren.

Music found Thomas at age 13 and never let go. Drums. Bass guitar. Piano. Over the years, music became not just something he does, it became part of who he is.

Today, Thomas serves as the piano player at their church while Denise sings on the praise team. Side by side, they worship, they serve, they pour their hearts into the music that brings their faith to life.

Outside the church, Thomas still plays bass guitar with local jazz groups, staying connected to his community through what he calls “the universal language.”

When you sit across from Thomas and Denise, you feel it immediately. These are people who love deeply and live intentionally. Absolutely the sweetest. I was so blessed to spend time with them

The Turn He Didn’t See Coming

Earlier this year, life shifted. In March, Thomas weighed 330 pounds. His kidney function had dropped to dangerously low levels. Chronic kidney disease had been quietly affecting his health, even when it wasn’t obvious to the people around him. His energy was fading. His future felt uncertain.

But Thomas didn’t give up. He chose to fight — for his health, for his family, and for the life he and Denise still dream of living together.

Through commitment, discipline, and deep faith, he made significant changes. He overhauled his diet. He started exercising. He did everything within his control to get healthier. He lost over one hundred pounds. His kidney function improved significantly.

Those changes didn’t just improve his health — they reaffirmed something Thomas already believed deep down: that hope and perseverance matter.

Despite all of that incredible progress, his doctors are clear: a kidney transplant is still the best long-term solution to protect his future. Thomas is actively listed for a transplant. And while that reality is humbling, it has only strengthened his resolve.

“My hope for a transplant is simple. I want to continue being present for my wife, for anniversaries, quiet mornings, and new adventures still waiting for us.

I want to be there for my children and grandchildren, watching them grow, celebrating milestones, and creating memories. I want to keep serving through music and faith, using the gifts God has given me to uplift others.

And yes, I want to keep traveling, exploring, and enjoying the life Denise and I have built together.”

— Thomas Stokes III

What Is Kidney Disease? And Why Does It Matter to All of Us?

Chronic kidney disease — CKD — means the kidneys can no longer filter waste and excess fluids from the blood the way they should. It often progresses quietly, without obvious symptoms, which is part of what makes it so dangerous. Over time, it can reach a point where dialysis or a transplant becomes necessary to sustain life.

Millions of Americans are living with CKD right now, and many don’t even know it.



Thomas has already done his part. He lost over 100 pounds. He changed his entire life. He fought hard for every bit of improvement he could make on his own. Now he needs something only another person can give him.

How Getting Tested Can Help — Even If You’re Not a Direct Match

Here’s something many people don’t realize: getting evaluated as a living kidney donor doesn’t obligate you to anything.

The process is overseen entirely by medical professionals, with donor safety as the top priority. It’s completely voluntary.

There is no pressure. No obligation. Just information.

Even if you aren’t a direct match for Thomas, your willingness to be tested could still save a life through what’s called paired donation.

Through the National Kidney Registry’s voucher program, a donor who isn’t a match for Thomas can still set off a chain of giving that saves Thomas — or someone else waiting on that same list. It ripples outward in ways you might never fully see.

Living donor transplants also tend to last longer and function better than kidneys from deceased donors. The gift isn’t just a transplant — it’s a better quality of life. More time. More mornings. More quiet anniversaries. More music. More rallies.

Learn to RV Is About the People Who RV

It’s been an emotional week here at Learn to RV. We’ve been running hard with Learn to RV with CARE, and then we came home from Onalaska carrying Thomas and Denise’s story in our hearts a few weeks ago and knew that this had to be shared as soon as our editing team finished up the podcast.

This community — our community — is made up of real people just like Thomas and Denise living real lives.

Some of us are chasing sunsets. Some of us are chasing healing. Some of us are just trying to stay present for the people we love. Thomas and Denise are doing all three.



It could be any of us. Any one of us could be the person in need of a miracle. Or the person who has that miracle to give, and doesn’t know it yet.

Listen to Our Full Conversation with Thomas and Denise

I sat down with Thomas and Denise for a full community spotlight episode of Learn to RV The Podcast. It is a conversation full of faith, resilience, love, and hope. Just click play above.

How You Can Help Thomas Right Now

There is no price tag on the gift of a longer life. But there are simple steps you can take today:

1. Visit Thomas’s website to learn about his story and begin the evaluation process

 Thomas Stokes Needs a Kidney | Can You Help?

2. Consider getting evaluated as a living donor — it costs you nothing and could mean everything

3. Share this post and Thomas’s story with someone who might be a match

4. Pray for Thomas, Denise, and the family that loves them

5. Listen to the episode and let their story move you the way it moved us

Thomas and Denise are absolutely the sweetest people. I was so blessed to meet them at the Adventure Bandits Bash, and even more blessed that Thomas trusted us to tell his story.

We are the community around them...it is real, and warm, and good.

And the Learn to RV community? I believe we’re the kind of people who show up for each other. Thomas and Denise are the very best of this community.

You don’t have to do it alone. And neither does Thomas.