Calvin Wayne Stephens

Loving husband, devoted Dad and Papa, cherished friend, and respected pilot, Calvin Wayne Stephens, 67, of Nacogdoches, Texas, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on July 5, 2014.

Wayne is survived by his longtime sweetheart and wife of 48 years Dee Lores Wiegman Stephens; sons, Dr. Kevin Stephens and daughter-in-law Shellie Stephens, of Dallas, Dr. Brent Stephens and daughter-in-law Ginger Stephens, of Nacogdoches, and Dr. Brian Stephens and daughter-in-law Kara Stephens, of Jefferson City, MO; sisters, Carol Stephens of High Springs, FL, Linda Prather of Amarillo, Janis Hartin and husband & Ed of High Springs, FL.; brother, Mark Stephens of Amarillo; ten grandchildren, Kyrstin, Erin, Brennan, & Emilia Stephens of Jefferson City, MO; Katelyn Stephens of Charleston, IL, Caleb, Corinne & Gwyneth Stephens of Dallas, and Hunter and Cole Stephens of Nacogdoches; and many loved nieces and nephews, including Aspen Stephens of Nacogdoches.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Aggie Rue & Alta May Stephens of Amarillo, and his brother, Johnny Stephens of Odessa.

A native Texan, Wayne was born in Borger, on May 29, 1947, and raised in Amarillo. Wayne also spent many years living in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Germany, Alaska, and Oklahoma. After high school, Wayne married his high school sweetheart Dee Lores and joined the U.S. Army in October of 1966.

Wayne spent 22 years faithfully serving the country he loved in the Army as an Air Traffic Controller. Wayne is a veteran of the Vietnam War, where he earned several commendations, including the Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Service Stars and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm. Wayne retired as a Sergeant First Class in 1988 from Ft. Hood, TX. Wayne’s passion for flying led him to many different aviation opportunities. Wayne served as the Director of Aviation at Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, OK, for three years. Afterwards, Wayne pursued a lifelong dream of his when he spent two summers flying as a bush pilot in Alaska, landing on many remote lakes and shorelines across the state. Wayne owned and operated Elk Creek Spraying in Lone Wolf, OK, and crop dusted thousands of acres of land across Texas, Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, and Oklahoma. He loved the thrill of “buzzing” the fields and flying under power lines.

As a certified flight instructor, Wayne shared his love of flying with hundreds of people over the years. Wayne held instructor ratings for single, multiengine and instrument aircraft. Over his career, he was a multiengine land airline transport pilot with commercial, single land and sea ratings. After moving to Nacogdoches in 1999, Wayne worked as a corporate pilot for Bright Coop and flew for many other area businesses. Wayne was a familiar face at the A.L. Mangum Regional Airport and could often be found drinking coffee in the FBO. As much as Wayne loved being a pilot, his first love was always God and his church. Wayne devoted his life to serving Christ. Wayne served as a Sunday school teacher, a church board member and worked with the youth ministries. Wayne was known as the man who could “fix” anything and was quick to lend a hand wherever he was needed. Wayne also had a deep love of missions and participated in several mission trips to Mexico, Ecuador, Portugal, Cape Verde, Africa, and even down the Amazon River.

Wayne was loved by all who met him. His calm spirit, mischievous grin, and the twinkle in his eyes drew others to him. Wayne daily demonstrated the love of Christ to others through his compassion, integrity and wisdom. He will be missed more than words can ever express.

Open visitation will be available from 12:00-6:00 pm at the funeral home on Thursday for those who would like to stop by. The family will be present from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, July 10, at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Home in Nacogdoches. A celebration of his life will be held at Nacogdoches First Church of the Nazarene, Friday, July 11, at 3 p.m., with graveside services and missing man flyover to follow at Sunset Memorial Cemetery.

In honor of Wayne’s love and dedication to mission work, in lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Nacogdoches First Church of the Nazarene, 211 S.E. Stallings Drive, Nacogdoches, TX, 75964. Please designate the funds for Wayne Stephens’ Memorial.