Kharim A. Stephens

Kharim A. Stephens, age 30, was unexpectedly taken from us on Saturday, March 27, 2021. Kharim was born in Kingston, Jamaica on September 27, 1990. Kharim grew up in Queens, New York, where he ran track and graduated from Martin Van Buren High School. He moved to Rochester to attend Finger Lakes Community College, where he was a member of the track and soccer teams. Kharim came to Columbus to attend The Ohio State University and was a member of the 2012 Undefeated Buckeye Football Team. He graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor's degree in Public Affairs specializing in Urban Policy and Management from the John Glenn College of Public Affairs.

Kharim was impossible not to love. His bright smile, warmth, and vibrant personality made strangers into fast friends. Kharim was adventurous, fearless, and a fierce protector. He loved music, working on his car and motorcycle, cycling on local trails, hiking, travelling, debating, learning new things, giving advice, spending time with friends and family, and spoiling the cats and dogs who were his babies. Kharim would rescue animals from busy streets and stand up for a friend in any circumstance. Kharim was the embodiment of sunshine on Earth, and it was impossible not to glow in his presence.

Kharim Anthony Stephens was, and forever will be, a King.

It is impossible to express the tremendous loss felt by those who were fortunate enough to know him. Kharim will be deeply missed by his loving mother Janice Sutherland who was his most dedicated supporter; father Michael Stephens; step-father Mario Williams; sisters Julian Stephens and Tudy-Ann Stephens; niece Nya Reid; grandmother Polsie Dixon; his partner and soulmate Chelsea Gilmore; close cousins Tiffany McNab, Sinaya Sutherland, Terrell Sutherland, Cory White and Mackhail Harrison; goddaughters Lamyah Judkins, Addison Langston, and Emersyn Langston; godsons Owyn Langston and Ryken Langston, close friends Damion Beech, Julian Blair, Terry Judkins, Jocef Langston, Dearol Mair, Junior McLeod, Nkosi Mighty-Underwood, Dave Walters; dogs Coby and Olive; cats Freckles, Oscar, Grouch and Tiny; and many more loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and good friends. Kharim was preceded in death by his grandfather Silas Sutherland, and his mentor and coach Nelson Keyes.

The family will receive friends from Noon-5:00PM on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST, 1740 Zollinger Road, Columbus, Ohio 43221. Guests are respectfully asked to wear masks and attendance will be monitored to ensure safety for everyone attending. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to his Go Fund Me page at .

Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share memories and condolences.

Please click on the Memory Maker link below to leave a private video message for the family at https://memorymaker.tv/Events/recorder.html?QLBZl3e2YE5psMU