Jack Stephens

Jack Stephens was born October 26,1932. Except for his military service and his post-graduate education, he lived his entire life in Colorado, the bulk of which was spent in Palisade. On Labor Day, 2023—with flags flying high and peach harvest in full-swing—he peacefully passed away in his sleep. He was 90.

Jack spent his early childhood with his maternal grandparents, Samuel and Estella Kiggins on their ranch outside Collbran near Plateau City. As a small child, he spent much of his time doing chores, exploring, helping out, and—as he would say years later—“pestering the ranch hands to learn the trade.”

As The Great Depression ended, Jack moved to Palisade with his parents, Zella and Steve Stephens where he attended Mount Lincoln School. When he was twelve, he had a paper route and helped his folks run the Elberta movie theater in Palisade. By the time he was in high school, he was involved in football, baseball, and Future Farmers of America. Jack continued to spend much of his summers either helping out on the ranch in Collbran or working in the Palisade orchards and packing sheds.

After high school in 1950, Jack enlisted in the United States Air Force. During this period, Jack served overseas as an Airman First Class at various posts in Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1953 and reenlisted in the Army National Guard. From 1955 until 1968, he continued his diverse career in leadership and technical roles as a qualified Communications Officer. In 1968, Jack transitioned into the Army Special Forces. After a year of grueling Green Beret training, he was assigned to the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne). Within on year, he was promoted to his final grade of Major. Based on available records, his duties were unspecified but would have been in direct support of the doctrinal missions of his group which included unconventional warfare, direct action, counter-insurgency, special reconnaissance, and counter terrorism.

Jack devoted his life to duty, education, and family (which always included a variety of cats, dogs, and wild birds). In the midst of his early military service—while studying Geology at Mesa Junior College—Jack met the love of his life, Duna Mechau. In 1955, the two were married and happily raised five children. While balancing his military service and the responsibilities of being a father, Jack continued his education at Adam’s State College and became an Earth Science teacher at Bookcliff Middle School, then for the duration of his educational career, he taught Geology at Central High School. He retired in 1993 with post-graduate work from School of Mines, Princeton, Rutgers, UTEP, and Western Washington State.

For 18 seasons on his summer breaks from teaching (and interspersed between graduate school and military duties), Jack worked for the Forest Service as a Crew Boss and fire fighter on and around Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and the Gunnison National Forests (GMUG). Jack cultivated a lifelong interest in history, and he would note that it was the firefighters who taught the Army paratroopers how to jump out of airplanes.

Jack was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to hunt, fish, hike, kayak, and ski. When he retired from teaching in 1993, he began volunteering for Colorado Discover Ability (CDA). For more than twenty seasons, he helped people with disabilities learn to ski; and at age 86, he was featured in the YouTube video, Jack Stephens: Colorado Discover Ability Volunteer. CDA’s annual volunteer-excellence award is called “The Jack Stephens Award.”

Jack is survived by his wife, Duna, his five children: Kristian (Annette), Karl (Beverly), James, Sandie (James), and Erin (Joel); his six grandchildren Derek (Anne-Marie), Sloane, Zondra (Lance), Kira, Logan, and Matilda; and his two great-grandchildren: Bobby Finn and Henry Kristian.

Jack’s Celebration of Life is October 7th at 11:00 a.m. at Palisade Veterans Memorial Park (120 W. 8th St., Palisade, CO). In lieu of flowers, donations to Colorado Discover Ability are appreciated.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.callahan-edfast.com for the Stephens family.