Huland Ray Stephens

Huland Ray Stephens a loving husband, daddy, papa and brother was received into the hands of God on Saturday June 19, 2010 while at one of his daughter’s home in Fort Worth, surrounded by family.

Celebration of life: Will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday June 23, 2010 at St. John Lutheran Church in Hamilton Texas

Interment: Will be at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Pottsville, Texas

Huland was born in Lamkin, Texas on September 14, 1928 to Marvin Ozious and Clara Etta Daniel Stephens. He grew up in Lamkin and after graduating from High School he joined the Army Air Corp on February 5, 1947, as a Corporal when he was 19 years old. He married the love of his life Lou Ella Gromatzky, of Pottsville, Texas on November 6, 1947. They were married just eleven days short of 60 years when Lou Ella passed away in October of 2006. Huland and Lou Ella lived in Fort Worth for 40 years and raised 4 children there. He worked for Bell Helicopter for 25 years as a supervisor in the commercial order control spare parts department. When Huland retired from Bell Helicopter, he and Lou Ella made the transition back to Hamilton County, a short distance away from the home place where Lou Ella was born. The two of them became members at St. John’s and served as a great support for the congregation’s ministry, especially supporting evangelism and outreach in the community and around the world. Huland worked with precious metals for several years, loved to raise cattle, loved to fish and loved simple country living. He loved for friends and family to come for a visit and sit on the big back porch of his home in Pottsville. Huland was preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife Lou Ella and his brother-in-law James Densman.

Survivors: 4 children Huland “Sonny” Stephens Jr. and wife B.J. both of Pottsville, Melanie Gilley and husband Donald of North Richland Hills, Stephanie Cruse and husband Terrell of Keller, and Kimberly Miller and husband Thomas of Southlake. Sister Denzil Densman of Inez. Brother-In-Law Lew Wentz of Fort Worth

Sisters -In-law Frances Donahoo and Florene Gromatzky 9 Grandchildren: Angela Bradley and husband Jim, Slade Stephens, Timothy Culberson and wife Karen, Matthew Gilley, Stephen Gilley and wife Misty, Taylor Culberson, Tara Culberson, Devaney Devoe and Brook Devoe. 4 Great -Grandchildren McCoy Culberson, Daniel Bradley, Joseph Bradley and Phoenix Culberson. Many nieces, nephews, and friends. The family would like to express deep appreciation for the many prayers and thoughtful gestures extended to Huland during his illness. A very special thank you to the Doctors and nurses at the Hamilton General Hospital, especially Dr. Killian. Also to Harris HEB Hospital in Bedford, Texas and Universal Hospice in Fort Worth Texas.

Arrangements under the direction of Riley Funeral Home, Hamilton, TX.