Donald L. Stephens Sr.

Don passed away October 17, 2012, with his wife Jean by his side, just shy of his 88th birthday. Don is survived by Jean, son Donald L. Stephens Jr. ( wife Barbara) of Portland, Oregon, daughter Sandy Rees ( husband Carl Rees) of Anaheim California, daughter Judy Mahany of Denver, Colorado, Grandchildren Marc Blackstone and Cindy Lee of Southern California, five great-grandchildren, and multiple exchange students Don and Jean sponsored over the years from Japan, Spain, and France.

Don was born November 12, 1924, in Detroit, Michigan, to parents Charles Williams Stephens and Jessie Kipp. He served honorably in WWII in the U.S. Navy as a machinist in the South Pacific from June 1943- January 1946.

Following WWII, Don was employed by Hardware Mutual Insurance Company (now Sentry Insurance Company) from 1946-1969 primarily in southern California. Don moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1969 to start, with Jean, Advanced Insurance Management. He was the Mayor of Durham, Oregon, from 1982-1990. He was also a member of Christ Church in Lake Oswego.

Don was a member of the Downtown Kiwanis Club from 1989-1994, serving in various official capacities. He was a distinguished member of B.P.O.E. from 1972 to the end of his life, serving as Oregon’s State Elks President from 1984-1985. He also was Chairman of the Elks National Government Relations Committee for eight years. He was instrumental in obtaining the donations for the founding of the Casey Eye Clinic. For these and other accomplishments Don was voted into the Elks Hall of Fame in 2005.

Don was an exemplary man. He was a natural leader, community-minded, well-mannered, kind, easy going, and compassionate. He was an honorable man, a man of integrity, honesty, and diligence to duty. He felt a strong personal obligation to be of service to his fellow man, and he lived his attributes every day of his life.

A memorial gathering will be held on November 12, 2012, from 1-4 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 8350 SW Warm Springs Street, Tualatin, Oregon 97062.

I lieu of flowers please make donations to the Casey Eye Institute.