James William Stephens

Born February 15, 1947 in Sylva, NC, he was a son of the late Harold Arthur Stephens and Ilean Dillard.

Following graduation from James A. Gray High School in Winston-Salem in 1965, he attended a trade school in Kentucky. He served with the Third US Army Company E and the 25th Infantry Division during the Vietnam War from 1966-1968. After his service he moved to Charlotte where he was employed as a research technician by Fiber Industries/Hoechst Celanese for 23 years and then BASF for 16 years.

Jim enjoyed coaching Pop Warner Youth Football and Sardis Dixie Youth Baseball for several years. He was an avid fan of tennis, basketball, and football. His love for hunting, fishing, and camping in the mountains of North Carolina with his family created his fondest memories. His affection for nature was shown by the hours he spent landscaping his yard and creating a natural habitat for birds and other wildlife. He also attended Covenant Baptist Church and volunteered his talents with the grounds keeping.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 39 years, Teresa Martin Stephens; four children, Allison Garmon and Amy Garlick (Richard), of Charlotte; Nicki Luther (Chuck) of Killeen, TX; and Matthew Stephens (Seyward) of Surfside Beach, SC. He is also survived by ten grandchildren Cory and Hunter Garmon, Kaylin Garlick, Christian, Alexa, Taylor, and Marlee Luther, Merritt and Grant Jeter, and Anna Stephens; four great grandchildren, Levi and Harper Luther and K-lynn and Karter Bain; and two brothers, Harold Arthur Stephens, Jr (Trelle) of Hilton Head, SC and Edward Blane Stephens (Debra) of Hendersonville, NC.

A Memorial Service will be held at McEwen Funeral Home - Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Rd., Charlotte, NC 28210 on Sunday, November 17, 2019 at 1:00 pm.

For those wishing to send memorial gifts in Jim’s honor, please consider Samaritan Purse at samaritanspurse.org. On-line condolences may be shared at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com.