Biography
Allan J. ”Steve” Stephens, 76, died Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at Freeman Hospital West after a long battle with heart disease. He was born in Osage, Oklahoma on December 29, 1933, to Elmer Stephens and Jessie Faye (Moore) Stephens.
Shortly after his high school graduation Steve joined the U.S. Marines, serving both domestically and overseas. After his military service, he started his career with Lucent Technology, and spent the early portion of his professional life in New Jersey, later transferring to Joplin. Steve was a man of many and varied interests, including hunting, fishing, and playing pool at the Senior Center. At one time he had taken an evening class in baking, and was known for occasional but interesting spurts of culinary creativity. He was an inveterate reader of science fiction. Steve was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. Having an unflagging dedication to the rights and wellbeing of people with autism and related challenges, he had been on board of Southwest Support Services, and was a member of the Telephone Pioneers.
Steve was very handsome, but never displayed any vanity concerning it.
His grandchildren Rachel and Randall were a great joy in his life. During the last yeas of his life his heart condition lessened what he could do, but he was always willing to take Rachel to all of her activities. He was a loving and caring man to all who knew him.
Steve and Constance Schleck were married in Elizabeth, New Jersey on October 5, 1957. Connie survives. They had three children: Allan Craig Stephens and Diane Stephens Cox, of Joplin, and Laura Marie Stephens, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his son-in-law Randall Cox and two grandchildren: Rachel Constance Cox and Randall Thomas Cox, Jr., and a sister, Betty Milstead of Washington State. A brother and two sisters, Eugene Herman Stephens, Norma Joyce Schoonover and Beverly Dawn Crom preceded him in death.
Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Rev. Justin Monaghan presiding, Saturday at 10:00 a.m. There will be a prayer service at 6:00 p.m. Friday at the mortuary, followed by a visitation of family and friends from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., online condolences can be sent to the family at www.thornhilldillon.com care of the mortuary. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary.
Facts
Born: December 29, 1933
Place of Birth: Osage, OK
Death: February 16, 2010
Place of Death: Freeman Hospital
Occupation: Lucent Technologies
Hobbies: Hunting, Fishing, Reading
Survivors
Constance "Connie" Stephens, Spouse
Allan Craig Stephens, Son
Diane Stephens Cox, Daughter
Randall Cox, Son-in-law
Rachel Constance Cox, Grandchild
Randall Thomas Cox Jr., Grandchild
Betty Milstead, Sister
Eugene Herman Stephens, Brother
Preceded in Death By
Elmer Stephens, Father
Jessie Faye (Moore) Stephens, Mother
Laura Marie Stephens, Daughter
Norma Joyce Schoonover, Sister
Beverly Dawn Crom, Sister
Donations
Memorial donations may be made to:
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