Donald Lee “Corky” Stephens, age 61, of Lamar, passed away Wednesday afternoon, May 9, 2018 while at work at Gilster Mary Lee Popcorn Plant in Jasper, following a courageous five-month battle with cancer.
Corky was born July 13, 1956, in Culver City, California, the youngest of the three children of Don and Ellene (Onstott) Stephens. Moving with his family to Jasper, Missouri in 1958, he graduated from Jasper High School in 1975 and had worked at the Jasper Popcorn Plant for more than 30 years. An avid outdoorsman, Corky enjoyed horseback riding, participating in Civil War Re-enactments, trips on his Harley-Davidson, beachfront vacations, hunting for shark teeth, and spending time with family and friends.
Preceding Corky in death were his parents, Don & Ellene; his brother, Mike; and a brother-in-law, Pat Long.
On January 25, 1991, he married the love of his life, Pam Mason and she survives. Also surviving are his children, Eric Martinez, Kansas City, Kansas, April (Matt) Caruthers, Lamar, Amber Cornell, Carthage, and Tara Stephens, Joplin; a sister, Debbie Long, Lawrence, Kansas; and a sister-in-law, Freda Ann (Randy) Epperson, Springfield, Missouri; and several nephews and nieces. Corky delighted in his role as Papa to Michael, Courtney & Darin Caruthers, Kendel & Lanie Stephens, and Tyler & Shayla Harris.
The family will receive friends from 3:00 until 4:00 p.m. Saturday, May 12th at Daniel Funeral Home followed by a 5:00 p.m. gathering to celebrate Corky’s life at the home of Matt & April Caruthers, 102 South Grand Street, Lamar.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Cornell-Beshore Cancer Institute in care of the funeral home.
No comments:
Post a Comment