Harry Don Stephenson Sr.

Harry was born September 12, 1932 in Fuquay Springs, North Carolina to the late James Maynard and Mary Ferrell Stephenson. He graduated from Fuquay Springs High School, Chenier Radio and Business School in Texas, and Mitchell Junior College in Statesville NC. He attended Campbell College (now University) and graduated from Atlantic Christian College (now Barton) in Wilson, NC.

He served in the US Army Signal Corp., from 1954-1956, rising to the rank of Sergeant. Afterward he worked as an engineer at various radio stations around North Carolina. With his late brother Robert, he co-owned and operated WRNC-AM in Raleigh.

After a career in the radio industry he began his own business, forming Cary Oil Co. in 1959. He served as its president until his retirement in 1996. Working alongside three of his brothers, he served the growing Triangle community as a petroleum marketer. Over the years he was supported by many deeply loyal employees, customers, business associates, family and dear friends. Desiring to give back as much as the community provided for him and his family, Harry formed the Cary Oil Foundation, Inc. in 1995 to provide grants to worthwhile charities and non-profit organizations throughout North Carolina.

An irrepressible optimist, he enjoyed the challenge of entrepreneurship and found great satisfaction in mentoring others who had the creativity and determination to start their own business.

Harry was actively engaged in civic life, serving on the Cary Planning and Zoning board, as president of the Cary Chamber of Commerce and as a founding member and president of the Cary Rotary Club. He also served on many professional organizations within the petroleum marketing industry.

He was a charter member and served as elder at St. Paul’s Christian Church in Raleigh. The fellowship at St. Paul’s was a source of great joy for him and his family as it nurtured his Christian faith and active life of Christian service.

Left behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 61 years, Bobbie Henderson Stephenson, with whom he traveled the world and spent many wonderful years enjoying the Blue Ridge Mountains in their home near Sparta, NC. He is survived by a younger brother, Thomas C. Stephenson and wife, Linda, three grateful sons, Don and wife Pattie, Craig and wife Christine, and Rick and wife Marcia, all of Cary. He also leaves a legacy of nine grandchildren; Joseph Harry Stephenson and wife Sarah, Matthew C. Stephenson and wife Katie, Adam Maynard Stephenson and wife Jennifer, Anna Martha Stephenson Raborn and husband Ben, Morgan Vann Stephenson, Alexander H. Stephenson, Mary Grace Stephenson, Emily Nichole Stephenson and Benjamin Luke Stephenson, and three great-grandchildren; Peyton, Jackson and Samuel. Harry was predeceased by his parents James M. Stephenson and Mary Ferrell Stephenson, an infant brother and sister, brothers; J. Benjamin Stephenson, Robert E. Stephenson and George E. Stephenson.

The family will have a visitation on Tuesday, November 15th at 5:30 PM in the auditorium at Glenaire Presbyterian home, 4000 Glenaire Circle, Cary, NC. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, November 16th at the First United Methodist Church Cary. A private burial will follow.

The family would like to express sincere thanks for the compassionate care they received from the staff of Glenaire.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in memory of Harry to the Glenaire Foundation, the First United Methodist Church Cary or the “We Build People” Campaign of the YMCA of the Triangle.