Richard Wesley Stephens, Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Business Man, Friend..

"Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant!"

Our Lord and Father

Till we meet again.....

This is a letter from Shirili Valdez, Chaplain of the Salvation Army, to Dad, dated April 22, 2020 when Dad was in the hospital.
Dear Dick,
Please forgive me for taking so long to get this to you. It has been awhile since I have sent you a love note or card. I want you to know that I am keeping you and your family in my prayers. I miss being able to sit together and worship with you at church, but I was given great peace and much happiness knowing that you were attending church with your son. It would mean the world to me to have my father join me at church.

I haven't had the pleasure of speaking to your daughter at the office for some time now, but with 54 children out of the school here at the shelter I am sure I will be calling her soon to schedule a clean-up. She is such a pleasure to work with and she always gives me an update on you. You re most blessed among fathers to have such special children Dick.

It is my prayer that God has given your doctors and nurses where you are who are caring for you as if you were family to them. I am sure that your courage and perseverance have touched them as much as your Salvation Army family. There have been many changes in our lives with all that is happening in our community and in our jobs as we serve them, but we are given much peace in knowing that our Father God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He thinks of you with great love Dick as he remembers how you have been faithful to love and care for those who could never repay you. Please be at peace, my brother, knowing the someday you will hear our Father say, 
"Well done, good and faithful servant!!"

Dad always sought out and and presented lovely cards  to all of us with words as if he wrote them himself, speaking from his heart!
This card was to his mother on her birthday. He loved his mother so very much!
The card said:
To you Mother on Your Birthday with a Volume of Wishes
Just thinking special thoughts of you
And hoping with affection
That this will be the kind of day
That suits you to perfection!
Just hoping all your days will hold
That same contentment too
For Mother, its a special joy
To wish things nice for you!
To the Best Mom anyone ever could have! 
Love, Dick and Ralph V. Stephens

Presenting Mr. and Mrs Richard Stephens!

Take a bow!

Applause! Applause!

Drop the curtain.....

"You are such a Big Tease!"
Well, twist my arm...

Dick and Sheila Stephens

Family portrait, Mother's Day after church outside the Ponderosa Estate with Grandpa Tony, Grandma Maxine, Dad, (Grandpa Dick) and Jaclyn.
Jaclyn was Dad's first grandchild and Grandma Maxine's and Grandpa Tony's first great grandchild!

P.S. Nice shoes Debi!

Dick's recognition speech at a special event at the Exchange Club. 
"Unity for Service" was what Dad lived his entire life!
By the way, Great Tux!

Dad, Grandma Maxine, Grandpa Tony and Debi sharing love and hugs! We all cherished our times together and we were all constantly trying to outdo the other one, tease and torment! Fingernails were our specialty and we shared and fought over each one....( inside joke)
Guess who out of the four was the most stubborn? Guess where we inherited the trait from?

Dick accepting an award at a special event with the Exchange Club of San Bernardino.
Nice tie!

Wow, look fat that flattop! You could balance a bottle of coke on the top of that head and not knock it over! 
Dick at his parent house at 1296 Oakhurst, San Bernardino.
One of Dick's more somber, serious looks which was unusual.

Dick and his cousins enjoying the moment...
Had to be the late 60s, early 70's with the clothes and hair styles.

Dicks Camp Experience and letter home from Camp Conrad, Seven Oaks, California near Jenkins Lake. The letter read:
Dear mom, Well I guess I won't be seeing you for a week or so. I am staying as a counselor for the next camp. I believe it is an honor because Lou Strough the man who is in charge of the next camp said he was getting good reports about me. Yea, I said these kids are driving me batty!
I wish I would get a letter from you.
Js Eichman's team is still on top.
Love 
Dick

Dick's Christmas snowball, Fluffy, ferocious guard dog and Queen!

Christmas time, 1988, Dad is sharing a conversation with Grandma Jessie. Grandma Jessie was always there to help Dad as he raised me and my bother. She was the very BEST cook so they are probably discussing  favorite recipes!
Jaclyn has started sharing her love  of cameras and picture taking from her Grandpa Dick!

Grandpa Tony sporting a suit and flower... perhaps he was the guest speaker at their luncheon meeting?
Dad included Grandpa Tony in many activities and Grandpa Tony helped Dad at the shop, greet customers and answer the phones.

Dad's, Debi's and Grandma Maxine's doggie delights! Two Maltese and a yorkie and they ruled the Stephens household!


Dick's handmade Christmas card, Dec 1944. World War ll  was still raging but with hopes of victory coming soon. 
Dick's Dad, Tony was a paratrooper in Japan.

Who is that lucky leprechaun and elf?
The cleft in Dad's chin is a dead give away....
 Dick be styling.....

Ta Da! Dinner is served! Come and Get it!

Proud Grandpa Dick with his second granddaughter, Misti, the first red head in the family!

Grandpa Dick is watching as one of the grandkids open their Christmas presents and hoping no one asks him how to put it together! He would love to help, but not very techy.....

Nice barbecuing shirt Dad! Looks like you are grilling for an army! Looks like Grandma Maxine is running bun patrol and don't forget the ketchup and mustard!


Dick explaining to his ship mate why it is important to always use an anchor when out in the water or before you know it, you are grounded! 

Captain Dick and his son Rick making sure everything is ship shape before setting sail on one of the many exchange club excursions on the river. The group always had a great time and would return each year for more fun filled adventures and great food!

Dad and Sheila at a family reunion with  Dad's cousins. Dad loved them all and always kept in touch with each of them and their extended families. They all had stories to share about "Dickie!"

Dick and his brother Ralph, off with their grandpa, Pappy, Dick's father's Tony's dad. Don't you love the tie transitions over time... in  the 1940's ties were short and fat, also suspenders were in......
They all had the same hairline.......... which has been passed down to  the later generations.

Ride em cowboy! Dick as a young boy, "horsing around":...........
Yipee Y aye!

One of Dick's first locations for Carpet Masters, Mt Vernon Ave, San Bernardino.
It is interesting how Dick marketed his early business as:
Main Office: 162 So Mt Vernon Ave( since this was really the only location) but he was already dreaming of multiple locations!

The logo changed over the years but this first logo was classic:
"We prolong the life of your carpets!"

This was a classic "letter from Santa Claus" during WW ll, Dec 1943. Dad was 7 years old.
Dear little friend,
Thank you so much for your letter- letters from you children always makes me happy, for you and I make up the "Spirit of Christmas" so loved in our land. This Christmas is different from any we have ever had before. Your Father, Brother, or Sister may be in the Army, Air Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, Marine or Auxillaries- your Mother may be working day or night to help in this war. You little folks must do your part to be as helpful and good as you can.
As usual my workshop has been swirling with activity and all my little elves have had great fun designing new toys to take the places of the ones we formally made from materials which your Uncle Sam needs now. But I'm sure  you'll like these new gifts and will be happy indeed that America Christmas will be much the same as usual.
Harris' has loads of gifts, but I ask you to give only useful and necessary things as as many War Savings Stamps and Bonds you can. They are the best gifts now as they help your Father, Brother, or Sister wherever they are helping Uncle Sam.
A Merry Merry Christmas to you as always,
Santa Claus
at Harris Toyland
3rd and E streets, San Bernardino, Ca

Kindergarten, 1941, during WW ll.Can you imagine their school drills to include bomb shelters?  His dad, Tony was a paratrooper.
Dad loved school and was a stellar student!

"Dickie" loved the ocean as a toddler, enjoying the sand between his toes and the spray in his face! 
Dad continued his love for the ocean and water as he grew up, swimming, boating, fishing, snorkeling, and skiing!

Dad loved to play with his bigger brother Ralph, hide and seek, peek a boo, ring around the rossie and a spider game they made up.
Later  play evolved to animals, bikes, cars, sports, girls...
As a dad,  he played cards, table games with us, taught us sports, helped us learn to ride our bikes, helped us learn to drive, and loved to tie strings on objects and make us follow the strings everywhere to find the prize when the prize was usually 2 feet from where we started!

Dad's first words and phrases: Mama's naughty boy, Dickie Freeze!

First sing along songs include the traditional songs, a tisket a tasket, rock a bye baby but at an early age Dickie demonstrated interest in jazz,  learning how to sing the 1938 hit, "Flat Foot Floogie" with the Mills brothers and Louis Armstrong. This song was easy with a nonsense refrain, " Floy doy, Floy doy, Floy doy made you not only sing but dance as well!

Dad sprouted teeth early and had his full set at the age of 2 and left the earth with his full set as well.
 He had the greatest  endearing smile coupled with the such a captivating sparkle in his eyes... Always made you wonder what he was up to next...

Dad's intent to move forward in life, first crawling then his first steps when he was almost a year old. Once he started walking , there was no holding him back!

Dad in the yard catching a few rays surrounded by his most favorite things!
Is that a storm shelter in the background?

Dad and his bother Ralph, posing for a picture. Looks like a great summer day to play patty cake!

Even at an early age Dad was singing "Oh what a beautiful morning, Oh what a beautiful day, I have a wonderful feeling, everything coming my way!

Where's my hat mom, my head looks cold!

Dad started crawling and watch out, nothing is safe,  not even the dog's tail! Who is under the sink? Where is my lipstick? Who is clanging my pots and pans? Who colored pictures on my wall?

Guilty as charged!

Proud parents of "Richard Wesley Stephens", Maxine and Tony Stephens

Cheek to Cheek! 
Sharing love and a hug, Dick and Stoni!

"Let's Rock!" Dad and Debi dancing the night away at Jaclyn's wedding reception. We kept Dad busy all night dancing to the rhythm of the beat .. and there was no cutting in line!

Grandpa Dick and Jaclyn taking over the dance floor at Jacyn's wedding. Everyone loved to dance with Dick, he had such good rhythm, never missed a beat, and was always quick on his feet! 

Grandpa Dick and Jaclyn  "cutting  the rug" on the dance floor at Jaclyn's wedding! "In the Mood!"


Dad relaxing at a barbecue at Jaclyn's house, waiting for dinner...

Sharing a little Christmas cheer with Dick, Rick, Beverly and Jack.
Ho! Ho! Ho!
Merry Christmas!


Proud "Grandpa Dick" holding  and getting to know his first grandchild, Jaclyn Marie Hall. Can you feel the love? Look at their eyes...
Grandpa Dick is telling Jaclyn, " Big blue eyes, cute little figure, go away boys till I get a little bigger!"

Dick sharing a night out with his Father, Tony and his father in law, Milt

Dick/ Dad out on the town with his Dad, Tony and son Rick. Three generations of Stephens and look at those hairlines....

Dad with Sheila and his Mother, Maxine, sharing his charm and enjoying the moment of being together!

"That's my Grandpa, and I am going to be just like him!"
Geoffrey Allen Hall at Christmas with his Grandpa Dick.

Dick and Honey, Sheila's mother at the Assistance League Ball, watching Sheila dance. "She rocked the stage!"

Relaxing in Mexico... Look at the stack of movies....
The world is a stage and I am a part of it! Thats entertainment!
Did I smell popcorn popping?

If you think I"m a wiz at cards, just wait until we go snipe hunting....want to learn my secret approach?

Dad enjoying a candid moment at Estero Beach!

Dad is here with Stoni and Robert, beating them at a game of gin rummy. Dad was a lucky, talented card shark! He would keep a straight face, lament over a bad hand, and just when you think you were close to winning, he dropped his entire winning hand, leaving you with out wide open in disbelief!

Dick getting ready to escort Sheila to the Assistance League Ball.
He looks like he could take the stage and get a Standing Ovation!
Love the penguin look!

Dad and Jaclyn taking the stage to "Cheeseburgers in Paradise", St. Croix, 2008 at a restaurant called "Cheeseburger in Paradise"

Medium rare with mustard be nice
Heaven on earth with an onion slice
I'm just a cheeseburger in paradise

Ketch up anyone?

Monkey see, monkey do!  Dad and Jaclyn setting the stage in Puerto Vallarta !
How do I look?

Dad took all the kids on a unique adventure called"Snipe Hunting" in Mexico. All of us succumbed once to trying to hunt and capture this unique animal that strangely morphed to an array of creatures with each kid..... as did the costumes he dressed us up in. He would start out telling us that not everyone can catch a snipe and what a "prize catch" it was.... we would be placed in a public area, dressed to kill( we had to be disguised for the snipe) with some sort of bag, fish pole/hook, broom and bag along with some kind of bait.... then Dad would run around once and try and"scare the snipe into the trap. After his first round, he left us and went back to the trailer to drink a beer and wait for us to come home with the treasured "catch".  As a kid, we were bound and determined to not come home until we had the prize,, and in the interim took quite a lot of flack from anyone passing us by.....the sad reality is we had so much fun, we each put our own kids through it!!! A true Stephens tradition! God bless the Snipe!

Grandpa......My favorite memory has always been the story of my birth. Grandpa would get a sappy smile and a far away look in his eyes and always start his story with "I remember the day you were born."  He was so excited (as I was the first grandchild), he waited in the waiting room all day, then I entered the world.!They wheeled my mom, Debi, out of the delivery room and there I was, all red and wrapped up in a blanket, small, no hair. He was the first person to pick me up and hold me. He gave me kisses and handed me back to mom. Then he rushed out to find the perfect gift for a brand new baby. But that gift he would hold until I turned 16. On my sweet sixteenth birthday we had a party up at the house and he handed me a card. Inside it said how much he loves me and how proud he is and there was a special gift if I could find it. It was a treasure hunt and it was on! Clue after clue I got closer and closer to the treasure. The notes lead me back to grandpa! He hugged me and handed me a box. I opened it and there sat the perfect string of pearls. He waited 16 long years to give me a gift that I have worn at every special occasion in my life, my senior prom, high school graduation, college graduation, wedding, and with a sad heart, his funeral. They will always be a part of my life and I will continue to wear them and remember the warm memories that come with them. With all my heart I will miss you grandpa! I will miss playing cribbage, Shanghai, and skipbo (which I always lost because he always cheated, just kidding, he was just that good)! Love you Grandpa xoxox 

We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name
In life we loved you  dearly, in death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone
for part of us went with you, the day God called you Home!

You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide,
and though we can not see you now, we know you 're always at our side!

Out family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same,
but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again!

As I sit in Heaven and watch you everyday
I try to let you know with signs I never went away
I hear you when you're laughing and watch you while you sleep
I even place my arms around you to calm you as you weep
I see you wish the days away begging to have me home
So I try to send you signs so you know you are not alone
Don't feel guilty that you have life that has evolved for me
Heaven is truly Beautiful just you wait and see
So live your life and laugh again
Enjoy yourself, be free
Then I'll know with every breath, you'll be taking one for me!

Carpet Masters at work on the carpet of the airplane that belonged to King Fyad!

A chair meant for a King! 
Dad's repair of King Fyad's chair in his airplane!

Dear Dad,

This is my first birthday without you and I miss you asking how old I am and when I answer it wrong, you always told me to do the math! You always gave me the best birthday cards that touched my heart!
Today, as I celebrate my 64th, ( I did the math!) I am sending a dove to heaven with a parcel on its wings.
Be careful when you open it, its full of beautiful things.
Inside are a million kisses wrapped up in a million hugs to say I miss you and to send all my love!
I hold you close in my heart and there you will remain, to walk with me throughout my life  until we are together again. I love so so much DAD!


Dad picked uptake phone one day at Carpet Masters and got a call from what used to be Norton's AFB from King Fyad  who had landed  and was in need of a good carpet layer to fix his gold lined carpet and upholstery. Dad made a new friend that day and came away feeling like royalty!

God has and always will, have  Dad in the Palm of His Hand!

Keith, Dad's cousin's Merle's grandson was such a big help to Dad as he grew weaker and was always there to help support Dad to get him back on his feet with his presence, encouragement and strength. Keith was there when Dad closed his eyes for the last time and tried to resuscitate him, surrendering him to God.

Thank you Keith for your love and support!
The grateful Stephens family!

Dad's cousin's Merle' wife, Nancy and her grandson, Keith. Dad visited them every Sunday to cheer and encourage Merle when he was so sick! Dad loved his family and extended families and was always there to provide comfort, support, wisdom, guidance, and a little bit of humor....
Keith was so fond of Dad, "Grandpa Merle and Dick were so very much alike!

Nancy said, "Dick just closed this eyes, as Jesus reached out and took his hand." How special is that?"

Dick was a wonderful, loving, and giving man!
May memories of your life together bring you peace and comfort. He will be truly missed!
Love Elsa

I want to tell you how close we were to Dick and both our families, the Bristows and the Stephens! Maxine and Tony and my folks,  Fred and Erwilla were together all the time! At least every weekend playing cards.How they loved their cards! That meant Dick and Ralph had a great time teasing me and Marrilyn! Freddie was so little they never bothered him. We had many Bristow- Stephens Family get togethers  and had so much fun! Dick called often to talk to both Marrilyn and myself , we both loved him so very much and miss him,

His loving cousins, Janet and Marrilyn

Dick, Sheila and, is that Smokey the Bear? No, it is Sheila's step dad, Jack enjoying a mountain moment near the campsite.

Debi and Rick , brother and sister sharing a moment at dinner at the "Wild Rabbit",  a favorite place to eat with Dad.
We were all so very fortunate to live close to each other for impromptu get togethers, celebrations, and barbecues to share stories, give hugs, and share the Stephens love!

Mi Casa Stephens

Estero Beach, Ensenada Mexico

ChaCha anyone? 
Donde esta mi sombrero?
Where did I leave my sombrero??

Truly one of he nicest men you'd ever meet, Mr. Dick Stephens went to be with this maker today. He was one of the first people to welcome me into Rotary when he could probably sense I was out of my element,.  I will always appreciate him for that encounter and engagement. He would always greet you with a smile and a handshake, no matter what restaurant, school program, elected official, or intersection you mentioned in San Bernardino .He always had a story to tell. I hope there's plenty of Sheila's fudge up there, because that stuff is truly heaven! You'll be missed, Sir. Thank you for ll the support you've given me over the years!

Mike McCue, Rotarian



Dear Dick,
Thank you for being the love of my life and sweetheart! You added life to my existence and was such a special man! You  were very strong and wise and taught me so much about life in general.I will cherish all  our good memories that  will be with me forever! I  always knew you were thinking about me and wanting to keep my best interests at heart!
You were unique and special and I am so grateful for being your wife!
I will love your forever!
Sheila

Prayer for my Dad

Dear God,

"I Gratefully Thank You for giving me my Dad,
You must really love me.
cause you gave me the BEST you had!
Watch over HIM and Bless Him Lord,
and keep Him in your Care
and may HE feel My Love for HIM,
is my Humble Heartfelt  Prayer!"


Dad escorting me down the sandy path at St. Croix.

Dad,

Today we'll walk down the aisle together
I'll marry the second man to love forever
But remember as we walk, dance, and twirl
I loved you first- Your little girl!
Debi

I'm just like my Father and so very proud of it!
Sharing a hug with my very Dear Dad!
Love you so much DAD!
Your daughter, Debi

If you look close, you can see the infamous "butts in those chins" that Geoffrey identified with his grandfather's face at an early age. What he didn't realize at that a time, he had one too....
Dick, Sheila and Geoffrey, picture perfect!

Dad and I  anxious to see my first grandchild and Dad's first great grandchild, Gavin Hall!
Father/daughter bantering over how could  we possibly be old enough to be a grandmother/ great grandfather!
Life is truly a GIFT!

From Dick's /Dad's words to be shared at his celebration of his life;
I offer my thanks and love to you who have taken the time out of your life to be here today to say goodbye. And since I have your attention, I would like to share a few things about my life. 
What great world I came into! I had a Mom and Dad who Always gave me unconditional love. "I mean, they loved me no matter what!" I remember, we had some rough times, the time we lost our home on Esparanza and lived in a tent for about 5 months. That time was sad but the tent we lived in was at the beach, one half block away from the Huntington Beach Pier so Ralph and I swam everyday in the surf or fished off the pier. The guys on the live bait boats knew us enough and they gave us fish off the barge for free. Then we moved back to San Bernardino to Waterman Gardens and I want back to Richardson Jr. High. I loved sports and played football, basketball, and baseball for three years . I had a great time, made good friends and of course, had a Ball!
San Bernardino was a wonderful place to be and I enjoyed growing up here. I met my future wife, Beverly and we married in 1957. Then along came Debi, what a delight, Sugar and Spice. Then came Richard Jr, my name sake.  
No Dad has ever been more proud of their children than I.  
Talk about being Blessed!
I went into business at the age of 21, What a Ride! I was free to work hard to be a successful as possible!
So, I have had people to love, a place to work, and a Beautiful world to live in...
I'll be seeing you.
Dick


Dad and Sheila 2008, sporting their Caribbean style, St Croix.
Can you hear the sound of those steel drums and see those palm trees swaying in the breeze next to the crystal blue water?

Three cooks in the  kitchen!
Dad with his mom and dad, Tony and Maxine, helping Grandma Maxine cook up her infamous Chile Verde. Dad and Grandpa Tony wanted to be the first in line.... 
Who brought the tortillas? Hot sauce anyone?

Ship shape and getting ready to dance the night away on the deck of the ship feeling the motion of the ocean under the blanket of stars surrounded by our arms of our love!

"Isn't she/he lovely, isn't she/he wonderful?!"

Adventures in the sun, Cabo San Lucas, 2005 with Dick, Sheila, Debi, Dane, Stoni and Matt. 

Sheila's alma mater, Pacific High School's 45th reunion setting sail  with fellow classmates.
Ship's ahoy! All ashore that are going ashore!

Nothing like a lucky white elephant welcome as Dick and Sheila enter the cruise ship for another wild adventure of the high seas!
Sheila, did you bring peanuts?

Dick left this message for those attending his celebration of life.
In Dick's words:
I have really enjoyed myself. Made more good decisions than bad so I couldn't complain. I have done more things, been more places, seen more than I could imagine. Even caught a fish or two, although Sheila always seemed to out do me!
When Sheila and I married I got Richard, Stoni, and Robert, then along came Jaclyn, Geoffrey, Buck and Mist. Then came Austin, Nick, and Mike, then Eric. So I have had people to love, a place to work, and a beautiful world to live in...
So enjoy yourself today, have a party, eat some good food and Thank God for another day!
Dick





Go San Bernardino High School!
Richard's Alma Mater!

The silhouettes of the original Stephens Family, Dick, Beverly, Debi, and Rick.

International Exchange Club

Recognizing Richard Stephens
Chairman, 1985-1986

Book of Golden Deeds Chairman

No words needed.

Sending all our love always!
The Stephens Family!

Dad's service on March 8, 2021 at Montecito Memorial Park. March 8 was his beloved Mother's Maxine's birthday.
Due to post covid, the service was in a tent with family and friends.
Major Dan Henderson and his wife, Anya officiated representing the Salvation Army which Dad belonged. He had asked Dan in advance to come back to town to help celebrate his life and Dan and his wife graciously obliged. His friend, Jim from Rotary sang the songs and my friend Jenny, played the piano.
The celebration of life for Dad was such a touching tribute and moment in time to honor such a  Great man, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend ,and business man.
Cherished and in our hearts forever!

                               DICK STEPHENS, PRESIDENT

                                         UNITY FOR SERVICE
                              NATIONAL EXCHANGE CLUB

                 In Recognition of Loyal Dedicated Service and 
                 Outstanding Leadership to the Exchange Club
                                            of San Bernardino
                                                        1979



DICK STEPHENS, PRESIDENT

INLAND EMPIRE EXECUTIVES' ASSOCIATION

AUGUST 2003- JULY 2004



AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Richard Wesley Stephens "Dick"

31 juillet 1936 – 6 janvier 2021

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