Tommy Gene Stephens

Tommy Gene Stephens passed away on May 17, 2020. Services have been entrusted to the care of Advantage Funeral Service and a celebration of Tommy's life will be held Saturday, May 23 at 10:00am at May Avenue Wesleyan Church with burial to follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Pauls Valley, OK. A public visitation will be held on Friday, May 22 from 12:00pm-5:00pm at Advantage Funeral Service at 7720 S. Penn in OKC.

Tommy was born on March 22, 1939 to Thomas V. Stephens and Addie (Hamit) Stephens. Tommy attended High School in Cushing, OK, and graduated in 1962. After graduation, he got a job working for Dillard's as a stocker at Penn Square Mall and Crossroads Mall. He later worked as a janitor for the State of Oklahoma for 5 years before health issues forced him in an early retirement in 2015.

For 15 years, Tommy had a special friendship with Carol Redbuffalo. He was known as the "adopted uncle" and together the two of them endured life's ups and downs. Carol served as Tommy's chauffeur, cook, best friend, and confidant. In exchange, Tommy kept the yard pristine and provided support and comic relief for carol. She cared for Tommy until the very end.

Tommy was a kind gentle, man who made friends easily. Few things made him happier than bologna sandwiches and Wendy's hamburgers. Tommy loved mowing the lawn. Each year, Tommy and his next door neighbor had a heated rivalry to see who would have the most immaculate yard. Tommy would want you to know that he ALWAYS won the competition.

Tommy was able to merge his love for mowing with his membership at the May Avenue Wesleyan Church. Tommy spent years selflessly serving the Lord and his beloved congregation by taking care of the church lawn. He loved being a 15+ yr. member of May Avenue Wesleyan and he made many wonderful friends there. He considered them his family. When it came to sports, Tommy was a diehard OSU and Dallas Cowboys fan. Oftentimes, Tommy and Carol (who is an OU fan) would start watching the annual bedlam football game together in the living room. By half-time, one team would inevitably pull ahead and they would end up watching the rest of the game in their separate rooms. During the game, Tommy also had two other fuzzy companions that joined him: Angel and Bear, who secretly rooted for OSU, too. If OSU won the game, Tommy's friends at church who supported OU knew to expect a few well-meant jabs from Tommy on Sunday. Tommy brought so much joy to those around him and he will truly be missed by all who knew him.

Tommy was preceded in death by his father Thomas V. Stephens; his mother Addie Blackwell; a sister Elaine Greenwood. Tommy is also preceded in death by his two loving Shar-Peis, Angel and Bear. Tommy is survived by longtime friend, Carol Redbuffalo; Carol's daughters: Tamra Dunn and Rachel Redbuffalo; Nephew in-law Arthur Been Sr. and his children Arthur Been Jr. and Lori Gibbney; as well as Carol's sister Yvette Powell and husband Chris.