of Leslie, AR

December 25, 1926 - August 21, 2022

Earl LeRoy "Steve" Stephenson, age 95, of Leslie, Arkansas passed from this life on Sunday, August 21st, 2022 at the home of his grandson, Jeffrey, with his family by his side. He was born on December 25th, 1926 in Basehor, Kansas to John Leslie Stephenson and Lucille Williams Stephenson. He married Cora Ann Berndt in 1946.

Steve was a WWII veteran of the United States Navy where he received training as an aviation electronic technician. He attended MIT as part of this training. He received a citation from President Truman for his service. After an honorable discharge from the Navy, he worked selling bread for Buttercrust Bread based in Corpus Christi, Texas. Steve attended night school while working hard to support and care for his family. He received an Associate's degree in electronics. This lead him to a job with Southwestern Bell Telephone which eventually lead to him playing a huge part in developing the first mobile phone technology and implementing the first customer on the King Ranch in south Texas. Steve moved on to working on the space program for AT&T, directing communication during the Gemini and Mercury missions. He also worked on the development of air traffic control technology, merging both military and civilian control. Steve was called on many times to assist with electronic surveillance for some of our nation's leaders. After retirement he moved his family to Arkansas. During his entire life he was very active in churches, leading singing in numerous congregations. Steve made it his life goal to teach and lead souls to Christ and help them develop a love for our Nation. He was most recently known for his leadership in the VFW outreach to area schools, developing an essay program where kids were encouraged to learn and participate as freedom loving Americans. Steve was a Master Mason since 1954 with Lodge #189 in Corpus Christi, Texas and most recently with Campbell Lodge #115. He was also a 32nd degree Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. He served as the drum major for the Houston Shriners Marching Band and was a member of Shriners Lodge, Scimitar Temple. Steve enjoyed restoring Model-T's and was an accomplished wood carver. He was a man of strong work ethics and varied talents and will be greatly missed by his family and the community.

Survivors include his sons, Ted LeRoy Stephenson of Leslie and Timothy Ross Stephenson and wife Wanda Jean, also of Leslie; grandchildren, Troy Lane Stephenson (Rene) of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, Jeffrey Ross Stephenson (Amber) of Leslie, Johnathan Lee Stephenson (Buffy) of Leslie and Stephanie Ann Marler (Greg) of Mountain Home; great-grandchildren, Tyler, Justin, Austin, Tanner, Cameron, Jennifer, Jordan, Seth, Paul, River, August, Lance, MacKenzie, Kaylee, Kaden and Hadley and great-great grandchildren, Olivia, Leah, Reese, Nora May, Walter, Paisley, Jaycee, Kelcyn and Keaton.

Steve is preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Lucille Stephenson; his wife, Cora Ann Stephenson, who passed away in 2010; great-grandchild, Jacob Stephenson and siblings, Charlotte and Emmett.

Funeral services will be 1:00 PM Wednesday, August 24th, 2022 at Roller-Coffman Chapel in Marshall, Arkansas with Bro. Rick Watts officiating. Visitation will be 12:30-1:00 PM preceding the service. Burial will be in Shiloh Cemetery near Leslie, where Steve will be laid to rest with Military and Masonic honors. Bearers will be Troy Lane Stephenson, Jeffrey Ross Stephenson, Kaden Scott Marler, August Wayne Hacker, Greg Marler and River Owen Hacker. Honorary bearers will be Mike Baker and Alan Yarbrough.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Coffman Funeral Home
923 Highway 65 North
Marshall, AR  72650
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com