Charles Fredrick Stephens

Charles Fredrick Stephens, 97 of Amarillo passed away June 13, 2013. Join us as we celebrate his homecoming on Saturday, June 22, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Hillside Christian Church West with Mike Nuthman officiating. Arrangements are by Griggs-Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors, 5400 S. Bell. Charlie is home! On June 13, 2013, Charles Fredrick Stephens, 97, entered the gates of Heaven, bowed to the King of Glory, and worshiped Him with his beloved wife Charlotte, to whom he was married for 62 years, both once again in perfect health and new bodies. Charlie was born on May 26, 1916, (although the very tired doctor put May 27 on his birth certificate) near Yale, OK, to Clarence and Sarah Eva Keys Stephens. He was the youngest of one sister and three brothers. He moved to a farm near Coyville, Wilson County, KS, in 1921. After an adventurous country life growing up, he moved to Las Vegas, NM, where he graduated from Highlands University majoring in instrumental music. While there, he met and married Charlotte Christina Saxton Krasin on September 5, 1942. Charlie served in the Air Force during World War II, leading the 713th Air Force Band at Yuma, AZ. Following the war, Charlie taught both instrumental and vocal music in many places around the country, earning a Master's degree at Northern Arizona University at Flagstaff, AZ. The family settled in Amarillo in 1955, where Charlie taught at Fannin Jr. High, Booker, TX, River Road and Highland Park. After retiring, Charlie and Charlotte spent several years traveling in their RV. Charlie always had hobbies to work on, his favorites being woodworking and silversmithing/jewelry making. His largest project was a 1/4 scale Conestoga wagon and four wooden oxen which are on display at the Big Timbers Museum in Lamar, Colorado. Charlie and Charlotte were active members for many years at Hillside Christian Church, where Charlie served as a deacon. Charlie impacted the lives of many throughout his long life. He always met others with a smile, a joke, or a song to encourage students, friends and family. Perfect? No, he was human, after all. But he was fun. He was a character. And most of all, he was loved. Always the musician, he is now singing songs of praise to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, with the rest of the heavenly chorus! Charlie was preceded in death by his wife Charlotte, his parents, sister, and brothers. He is survived by his son Stan Stephens and wife Sue of Lebanon, MO, his daughters Anita Hinton and Judy Wolfram and husband Eric of Amarillo. Also surviving Charlie are six grandsons and their wives, one granddaughter, twelve great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. The family would like to thank the staff of Childers Place Nursing Home and Hospice Care of the Southwest for their kind and loving care. The family suggests memorials be made to Hillside Christian Church, designated to the Oklahoma Tornado Relief Fund, PO Box 7807, Amarillo, TX 79114.