Stu Stephens, beloved husband, Dad, Papa, brother, uncle, and friend passed away peacefully on November 28, 2022 with his family at his bedside. Stu loved fiercely, kept his faith, fought a good fight, and was the ultimate competitor in life.
Stu was born on December 11, 1945, in Kansas City, Missouri to Stubert W. and Shirley L. (Kroh) Stephens. He attended Shawnee Mission North High School where he was a varsity basketball player. After graduating from high school in 1963, he attended Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas and graduated in 1967 with a degree in Business Administration. Stu was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and served as houseboy for Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. While attending Washburn, he met the love of his life of 53 years, Jeannie Nordstrom. After they were married, Stu and Jeannie wrote their life story which was full of family, meaningful friendships, and cherished memories.
Stephens spent the majority of his career in the fine paper distribution business, serving in sales and management. His lifework began in Topeka, Kansas, but eventually lead him back to Kansas City and then Milwaukee. In 1983, Stu and Jeannie settled in Tulsa with their two children, Kerstin and Andrew.
As a highlight of his career, Stu was entrusted to establish and build the Tulsa branch of Nationwide Papers. Stu retired in 2018 from Veritiv. In celebration of his retirement, Stu and his son, Andrew, took a bucket-list golf trip to Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin.
Although Stu was passionate about his vocation and taking care of his clients, many of whom ultimately became close friends, his greatest joys in life were spending time with family and friends. Stu loved vacationing at the beach with family and abroad with friends. He was also a dedicated fixture in the stands at all of his grandsons' sporting events.
Stu was an avid fan of the Kansas City Chiefs, Royals, and his beloved Jayhawks. Although he never attended KU, he became a Jayhawks fan early in life as he sat on his grandfather's lap, listening to basketball games on the radio. Stu enjoyed playing golf, tennis, and softball. In later years, Stu treasured his time spent with friends on the golf course. He looked forward to opening the local newspaper sports section to find his name listed for "shooting under his age" and multiple holes-in-one.
He was a member of Asbury Church and a member of the Faithbuilders Community, a group for which he served as president and felt blessed to support in their missions.
Stu is survived by his wife, Jeannie; daughter, Kerstin Stephens; son, Andrew Stephens and his wife, Amanda; grandchildren, Max, Henry, and Benny. He is preceded in death by both parents and his sister, Carol Harrison.
A celebration of life service will be held Thursday, December 8, 2022, at 2pm at Asbury Church - Mason Chapel in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Asbury Church (asburytulsa.org); Tulsa SPCA (tulsaspca.org); or Bixby Public Schools - Athletic Department Equipment for Kids (bixbyps.info/athleticdonation) in memory of Stu Stephens.
Funeral Home - Moore's Southlawn (918) 663-2233. Share memories at www.moorefuneral.com .