James Leroy Stephenson

Jim was the epitome of a kind man with a humble and giving spirit living his life being thankful for every moment while giving God the glory for all he had. Jesus called Jim home on November 24, 2019 while surrounded by his loved ones. Proverbs 11:24 tells us “One man gives freely, yet gains even more”. Jim gave his heart freely to all he knew including, and most significantly, to Jesus Christ and received the ultimate gift of everlasting life.

Jim was the Senior Class Favorite at A.C. Jones HS in Beeville, Texas in 1953. He was also a baseball star, Tri-Captain of the Football Team, Class and Sports Reporter and American League baseball player in Austin, TX. In October of 1953, he married his high school sweetheart, Dorchie Lou Hatcher. He

graduated from University of Texas in Austin with a degree in Geology and had a career in the oil and gas industry which gave him the opportunity to travel the world. He married LaVerne Hext in 1991 and they built a life in Richmond, TX until her passing in November of 2017. Jim then relocated to be near his family in Lakeway, Texas. His zest for life continued as he volunteered to be the head of the Fun Committee at the Lake Travis Independent Living Center. Jim also was a poet, a storyteller, a musician, loved to dance, an amazing athlete and an avid Texas Longhorn and Astros fan.

Jim was survived by his three daughters Stephanie Kruger, Sherry Ellenbogen, and Stacy Hallmark; son-in-laws Louis Kruger, Winn Kasper, and Ron Hallmark; step daughter Cheryl Staples and husband Layton; grandchildren, Chris Kruger and wife Lacey, Kimberly Casanova and husband Vinnie, Heather Sams and husband Luke, Dane Ellenbogen and fiancé Monique Diaz, Hunter Hallmark and Amanda Warren, and Hannah Hallmark.; step grandchildren Jennifer Wiseman and husband Jammar, Kristen Barker and husband Jason; plus 6 great grandchildren; his three younger siblings Eddie Stephenson, Paul Stephenson and wife Pat, Barbara Medcalf; his five nephews, Tom Stephenson, John Stephenson, Paul Stephenson, Sean Medcalf, Scott Medcalf and their families; and one niece Penny Stanton and family; and Dean Kendall who was a bright light during the last year of his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy and Jennie Stephenson and wife LaVerne Stephenson.

We are forever grateful, forever thankful, and forever blessed for Jim’s life. We are the “lucky ones”. We will miss him tremendously and look forward to seeing him in Heaven.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jim Stephenson’s memory to: Rexanna Foundation at www.rexannasfoundation.org Or Lake Travis Independent Living “Fun Committee”, 302 Medical Parkway, Lakeway, TX, 78738