Donald Glen Stephens

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Donald Glen Stephens, who departed this life on February 9, 2025, at the age of 87. Born on May 27, 1937, in Borger, TX, Don was the beloved son of Viola Bunton and Walton Glen Stephens. The landscape of his upbringing - in West Texas at the height of the Great Depression on the doorstep of World War II - influenced his life significantly.

Don believed firmly in the foundation a strong education provides. He pursued undergraduate and graduate degrees from Baylor University, passing the Texas Bar in 1964. He subsequently embarked on a short-lived (and upon his own reflection, ill-advised) stint in a Borger law office before joining the Comptroller of the Currency in Washington, DC, serving as one of its original trust examiners. His professional tour spanned 42 years across the United States, before concluding in Jacksonville, FL with his retirement at the age of 70. Until his passing, Don remained a member of the Texas Bar Association, a reflection of his unwavering commitment to the art of critical thought and debate.

Along the way, Don found himself in New Orleans, LA where he met and married Janet "Randy" Rand Lorber on June 14, 1972. Through their unique and joyful bond, they raised a family that – when they weren’t massaging the woodwork, running in the house, or slamming doors – became his pride and joy. He is survived by his devoted wife, Randy Lorber Stephens; his children, Nicolle Cundiff (David) of Lynchburg, VA; Helen Plaugher (Dave) of Jacksonville, FL; and Janet Stegner (Phillip) of Dallas, TX. Don's legacy further lives on through the grandchildren he so loved and admired: Patrick and Carter Cundiff; Genevieve and James Plaugher; and Phillip, Margaret, and Viola Stegner. He also leaves behind his sister, Susan Bolton (Louis) of Grand Prairie, TX, and many more.

Referred to affectionately by those who admired him as “The Don” or “Spider”, Don was a man of classic and timeless taste. He meticulously maintained the only two cars ever purchased for himself: a 1957 Ford Thunderbird and a 1969 Mercedes. And to this day, it remains unclear if he would ever part with his camel hair and woolen winter wardrobe, made obsolete by the never-ending Florida heat, enshrouded in mothballs (a scent emblematic of the Stephens household). Don was a passionate student of history, particularly the Roman Empire and military conflicts, which he explored through avid reading, cinema, and visiting ancient ruins, battlefields, and memorials. He reveled in simple pleasures, like the Sunday funnies, a cafeteria off the beaten path that served a hot vegetable plate, or catching up on current events over a beer with his sons-in-law. His unmatched ability to wade in the minutiae of complicated topics made him everyone’s favorite conversationalist, whether it was with a stranger he met over lunch or with friends and family around a good bonfire.

Don was a member of the Southern Yacht Club, the Timuquana Country Club, and the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, the latter where he drove the church van. His thoughtful gestures were well known, always equipped with a pocketknife, a roll of Certs, a cloth handkerchief, or even "walking around fireworks” (because you never knew when the situation might call for one).

A memorial service and reception will be held to honor Don's life and legacy at 2:00pm on Saturday, March 29 at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 1100 Stockton St. Jacksonville, FL 32204. His memory is cherished by all who were lucky enough to cross paths with him, and his spirit lives on in the hearts, minds, and souls of his family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those wishing to honor Don's memory do so by sharing a kind word or story about him, just as he would have loved sharing with others. Memorial donations may be made to the Church of the Good Shepherd.

Don/Dad/Papa Don, we will remember you for your warm heart, sharp wit, and the love you shared with us. Rest in peace. Your thoughtful, stoic presence will forever be a guiding light in our lives. And we promise to NOT massage the woodwork.