After graduating from Needham Broughton High School in Raleigh, he served in the United States Navy during WWII with duty at the Naval Air Station in St. Louis and the Pacific Theatre of Operations aboard the troop transport ship, USS General J.C. Breckenridge.
Following his service in the Navy, he attended Wake Forest College (University) earning his BBA in 1950 after which he began his Chamber of Commerce career as a member of the staff at the Rocky Mount, NC Chamber of Commerce. In 1955, he moved to Carrollton, Georgia to help organize the city’s first Chamber and served as its CEO until moving to Atlanta as the Director of Industrial Relations for the Associated Industries of Georgia. It was in Atlanta where he met the love of his life Betty Herrington whom he married on October 8, 1960.
In 1961, he moved to Athens to become the executive officer of the Athens Chamber of Commerce. At his first meeting with the Board of Directors, he was asked to develop an economic development plan for the area and to recommend a name for the Chamber that would reflect the nature of the development effort. Following his recommendation, the Chamber was renamed to the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce (AACC) to extend its service area to the surrounding counties. He led the Athens area through its greatest period of sustained economic growth during the 1960’s and 1970’s bringing many national industrial firms to the Athens area. He was a major proponent of locating research facilities in the area, stressing growth in neighboring counties. He proposed the creation of the Northeast Georgia Planning and Development Association (now the N.E. Georgia Regional Development Center) and served as its Secretary/Treasurer until his retirement from the AACC in 1985. While at the AACC, he also established and was the publisher of the initial ATHENS MAGAZINE.
Following his retirement from the AACC, he began a second successful career with Coldwell Banker Commercial Upchurch Realty specializing in industrial and commercial properties for more than 30 years. Until the time of his death, he remained active in the Athens area real estate market.
Shortly after relocating to Athens in 1960, Stephenson became a member of First Baptist Church of Athens and served in various capacities over the years. Active in many state and local organizations, he was past president of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Executives Association, past president of the Georgia Economic Development Association, was appointed by Governors Harris and Miller to the Georgia Film and Video Commission, served on the Advisory Board of Athens Technical School and was a member of the Athens Rotary Club.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betty and his sister, Mary Birkel. He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Lisa and Ben Lee of Hinesville and Sandra Stephenson and Mark Hammock of Athens; grandson, Stephen Berry of Athens; granddaughters, Laura and Kathryn Lee of Hinesville; Jenna Newton of Randleman, NC; and many nieces and nephews.
He forged lasting relationships throughout the Athens community and will not be forgotten.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, October 11 from 6-8 p.m. at Bernstein Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 12 at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Athens with Dr. Paul Baxley officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 355 Pulaski St., Athens, GA 30601 or St. Mary’s Hospice House, P.O. Box 6588, Athens, GA 30604.
Online condolences may be offered at www.BernsteinFuneralHome.com.
Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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