George Edward Stephenson

Born on October 6, 1921, in Dixon, MO, to the late Zelma and Frank Stephenson, George attended St Louis Public Schools and Eureka High School, where he played baseball and ran track. After serving his country in the United States Navy in the South Pacific during WWII, he returned to St Louis and married the love of his life, the former Lila Livingston, who survives him, along with three of their five sons.

George founded Stephenson Roofing Company in 1950 and remained active in the business well into his 80s. He was also founder and former President of Roofers Mart of Missouri, as well as a founder of Derbigum America Corporation, which was later sold to Owens/Corning Fiberglass Corporation, where he was appointed to the Advisory Board of Directors. An innovative leader in the roofing industry, he served as President of the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association and the National Roofing Contractors Association, which bestowed their highest honors on him, the James Q. McCawley Award (MRCA) and the J. A. Piper Award (NRCA). For many years, he chaired the Board of Trustees for the Roofers Local No. 2 Health and Welfare Fund.

A proud Shriner, George was elected Potentate of Moolah Temple in 1984, and sat of the Board of Directors of Shriners Hospital, retiring as Chairman Emeritus after many years of service. His other board affiliations included Mark Twain State Bank, US Bank/Clayton and Carondelet Savings and Loan Association. He was a director of St. Louis County Local Development Company, St. Louis County Economic Council.

An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed spending time at the family farm in Pike County, MO, or playing golf at home in St Louis and Naples, FL. George had two holes-in-one to his credit.

George is survived by Lila, his wife of 73 years, three sons, Thomas, James (Julie) and John (Laurie), and grandchildren Brian, Kevin, George (Kate), Kristin (Ryan) Yates, Harry and Kelly. Two sons, George E. Jr. and Brian Jeffrey, preceded him in death.

Memorials appreciated to the George E. Stephenson Jr. Memorial Fund at the University of Missouri-Columbia, 302 Reynolds Alumni Center, Columbia, MO 65211-2100 or Shriners Hospital for Children, 4400 Clayton Avenue, St Louis, MO 63110. https://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/Locations/stlouis

Private interment. Celebration of Life to be held at a later date.

Family is being served by Kriegshauser West Mortuary. Please leave memories and messages of condolence at www.kriegshausermortuary.com