Robert Stephens, Jr.

Robert Jesse Stephens Jr., 78, went home to glory, Thursday, October 22, 2020.  Funeral services will be held October 29, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Christian Church, in Fairfax, Oklahoma.

Robert (Bob) Stephens was born July 11, 1942 in Greensburg, Kansas to Robert and Glenda (Lindsay) Stephens.
Bob had a deep love for Christ.  He attended elementary school at Deerhead Country School, and he graduated high school from Medicine Lodge High School in Medicine Lodge, Kan. in 1960.

In 1964, Bob was drafted into the United States Army and served overseas during the Vietnam War.  Bob was honorably discharged in January 1966.
Bob courted and married the love of his life, Janet (Basye) Stephens.  They were married on October 16, 1966 at the Zion Lutheran Church, Claflin, Kan.  To this union they had 3 sons and a daughter, Richard, Edward, Donald, and Miela.

In the early years of Bob and Janet’s marriage, he was employed in construction and lived in several communities in Kansas and Oklahoma.  The growing family settled in the Cleveland, Okla. area in 1970.  While in Cleveland, he was employed with Indian Electric Coop.  It was here his growing family was involved in many school activities and sports.  Bob was known as “Dad Stephens” because he was not only active in the lives of his own children, but also those of the community.

In 1997, Bob and Janet moved to Fairfax, Okla. where he was the manager of the Indian Electric Coop and remained until retirement.  Bob was instrumental in many community developments projects in the Fairfax area.  He helped erect the local Veteran’s Memorial, the establishment of the Robert Clark Medical Clinic, member of the Osage Health Department board and Osage County Industrial Authority board, grant writer for many local projects, and served on multiple other boards and organizations.

Bob was a faithful and active member of the First Christian Church, Fairfax, and also served on several church boards.  He was a long-time member of the church praise team.  Gospel and blue grass music were some of Bob’s favorites.

While living in Fairfax, the Stephens family was blessed with the divine placement of an additional daughter and son, April and her husband Todd Kelly.
Throughout the last years of Bob’s life, he battled various health issues.  However, with a spirit of perseverance, and strong faith, Bob conquered them all.

During his retirement, Bob and Janet enjoyed traveling.  Their favorite past time was attending their 12 grandchildren’s various events.  Bob has always loved young people and being around their youthful energies.  His grandchildren were the apples of his eye.

Bob passed away from health complications at OSU Medical Center, Tulsa, Okla. on October 22, 2020.
Survivors include:  Wife of 54 years, Janet Stephens, Sons Rich (Rachelle) Stephens, Burke, S. D.; Ed (Christy) Stephens, Orlando, Fla.; Donnie (Brenda) Stephens, Ogallala, Neb.; Daughters, Miela Stephens-Dixon, Pawnee, Okla.; and April (Todd) Kelly, Fairfax, Okla. 12 grandchildren: Lauren (Ben), Kaitlin, Mykalob, Taytum, Luke, Gracie, Trista, Gunnar, Logan, Colton, Bobby and Lincoln.  Sister, Carol Jean Slater of Ozark, Ark., and countless other relatives.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Glenda Stephens and sister Doris Ann Balding, Isabel, Kan.

The family has requested that all memorials be sent to the music department at the Fairfax First Christian Church, PO Box 105, Fairfax  OK  74637.

Bob’s body will be laid to rest at Fairfax Cemetery.