Jim was born October 10, 1955 in Omaha, NE to the late R.E. & Jean Stephenson. He was the oldest of 3 brothers. Jim married wife Karen in Kearney, NE in 1974. The two were high school sweethearts and recently celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary.
Jim was a true steward of the land, dedicating much of his adult life to nurturing, and watching over the glorious out-of-doors the Lord blessed him with.
Jim was an accomplished pilot and loved teaching others to fly. He held the airman ratings of private pilot, instrument pilot, flight instructor, and multi-engine pilot. Additionally, he was an avid motorcycle rider, having logged thousands and thousands of miles on his Harley Davidson, spanning both the US and Canada.
The last 12 years Jim worked for the Colorado Dept. of Transportation. The many fine men and women of the dept. were near and dear to him and he treasured the friendships he made.
Jim was a loving, caring, devoted husband, father, and friend. His talents were endless, and to know him was to love him. He never met a stranger, and enjoyed sharing stories with both longtime acquaintances, as well as new ones.
He always said his greatest accomplishments were his 3 children, Jimmy, Casey, and Jaclyn. Watching his children grow into amazing adults was a very proud moment. His boys never stopped looking up to him and would not be who they are today without his love, guidance, and support. He could never get enough of his children, grandchildren, and great grand-daughter. He talked and bragged on all of them every chance he got.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Jean; and grandparents, Robert and Millie Howard, and Nellie Stephenson. Surviving members of his family include his wife, Karen, children, Jimmy and wife Stephanie (Salina, KS), Casey and wife Mandy (Assaria, KS) and Jaclyn (Ft. Collins); Grandchildren Brooke (Hays, KS), Connor and Madilyn (Salina, KS), Katie and Morgan (Assaria, KS); and great grand-daughter Tinley (Hays, KS); Brother Jeff Stephenson (Ft. Collins), brother Scott and wife Angela (Denver, Co); multiple aunts, uncles, cousins, and cherished friends.
Services will be held at 10:00 am, on Friday, September 28, 2018 at the Allnutt Drake Chapel, 650 W. Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO. 80526.
Memorials in Jim’s name may be given to Realities for Children, a cause that Jim and Karen actively supported with their annual motorcycle ride in Ft. Collins. https://www.realitiesforchildren.com/
