Donald Joe Stephens, 92, of Oklahoma City, OK, has departed this world and has been called home on Wednesday, June 26, 2019. Don was born in Redlands, CA, on November 12, 1926 to Emmett Elbert and Alice Stephens.
After graduating from San Diego High School in 1944, Don enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Once boot-camp was completed, he was then assigned to the medical corps as a corpsman and served at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, TX. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and moved to Shawnee, OK, where he married Eddie Bayless in 1949.
One of Don’s proudest moments in life was being married to the love of his life, Eddie, they were together for 67 beautiful years. They started their family with the birth of their daughter, Susan, and later their son, Scott.
Not long after the marriage, Don began working as an installer/repairman for Southwestern Bell Telephone. He was later promoted to manager and ended his 35-year career in 1986. When he wasn’t working, you could find him reading westerns, watching football, baseball, softball, and basketball; but his ultimate passion was being out on those golf greens. Don was a loving son and brother, dedicated husband and father, and wonderful friend; he will be missed by all and particularly the donut shop that he frequently visited by his home.
He is preceded in death by his father, E.E. Stephens; mother, Alice (Woodward) Stephens; brother, Robert Stephens of San Diego, CA; and sister, Alice (Dolly) Jenkins of Glendora, CA.
Don is survived by his daughter, Susan M. Kelly and husband, Brian of San Antonio, TX; son, Scott B. Stephens of Purcell, OK; and sisters Dorothy Carberry of Banning, CA and Barbara DeVries of Covina, CA. He also leaves behind 5 grandchildren, and many many great grandchildren, nieces and nephews to cherish his memory.
A visitation will be held for Don on Sunday, June 30, 2019 from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held in honor of Don’s life on Monday, July 1, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, 8701 N.W. Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73162.
