Joe Stephens

Joe went home to be with his heavenly Father on February 19, 2021.  Joe was a long time resident of Everman, but was born in Ada, Oklahoma.  He moved his family to the Fort Worth area from Altus, Oklahoma in 1969 to pursue a career as an Associate Professor of Air Conditioning Technology at Tarrant County Junior College.  Joe was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.  Joe leaves behind his beautiful wife of 66 years, Joyce Marie Stephens.  Their loving marriage produced four children Vicky Jean, Terry Lynn, Laquetta Gayle, and Robert Dean, as well as 13 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren.  Once grandchildren came into the picture, he and Joyce became known as Papa and Nanny.  Joe loved sports, and had a passion for baseball.  As a young pitcher in high school he had incredible control of the ball, but his career was cut short by a serious knee injury.  He met the love of his life, Joyce, in 1954 and within 3 months had married her while she was still a senior in high school.  Their marriage started with very humble beginnings, living in a two room shack on a farm her family was working.  Joe worked hard to create a good life for his family, spending nights and weekends achieving Bachelors and Masters degrees while working as a full time instructor.  He also shared his love of baseball by coaching little league for many years.  Joe was a very thoughtful and intelligent man, who would research a topic thoroughly before making any big decisions.  Mechanically, he could fix just about anything, and would not stop until he had solved the problem at hand.  He raised his children to have a strong work ethic, and to be honest, trustworthy, and responsible.  He is finally resting in the arms of Jesus Christ.

Joe was preceded in death by his father Hubert Owen Stephens, mother Lena Mae Stephens, brother Joseph Henry Stephens, and sister Imogene Batson.  He is survived by his wife Joyce Stephens;  sisters Norma Woodward and Lillie Brewer; daughters Vicky Pearce and Gayle Murray, and sons Terry Stephens and Robert Stephens; sons-in-law Curtis Pearce and Jerry Murray; daughters-in-law Becky Stephens and Denise Stephens; grandsons Trey Murray, Chad Pearce, Jeffrey Murray, Anthony Pearce, Preston Asher, and Jeremy Veine; granddaughters Shalinda Gallegos, Danielle Asher, Ashley Gair, Victoria Butler, Jamie Salgado, Heather Belyea, and Holly Belyea; great grandsons Connor Kidwell, Carson Pearce, Luke Gair, Jax Murray, Cameron Pearce, Waylon Gair, Huck Gair, Pearce Butler, Cade Pearce,  Jayton Murray, and Atlas Butler, and Rylan Salgado; great granddaughters Leia Murray, Madison Ward, Emma Asher, Julie Murray.

A graveside service will be held with immediate family on Saturday, February 27 at Emerald Hills Memorial Park in Kennedale, TX, and a visitation and celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Everman at https://firsteverman.org/give.