John L. "Jack" Stephens, Jr.

John L. “Jack” Stephens, Jr. Penney Farms, FL

John Stephens, 97, died on Sunday, June 8, at Penney Farms Retirement Community in Florida. He leaves his wife of 74 years and 357 days, Helen Chatfield Stephens, sons Brian (Linda) of Centerville, Ohio, and John (Debbie) of Iron Station, North Carolina; daughter Rebecca (Charles) Duncan of Cary, North Carolina; grandchildren Kathy Herr, Tim (Becky Schell) Stephens, Bob (Kelly) Stephens, Karen (Eric) Eberly, and Graham Duncan; greatgrandchildren Mackenzie, Hunter, Samantha, Madison, Graham, Bennett, Johnathan, Theo. and Elliot.

Besides his parents, Jack was predeceased by a sister, Ann Stephens Ayres. Jack was born in Warren, Ohio, on December 2, 1927, to John Luther Stephens, Sr. and Frances Difford Stephens. He graduated from Warren Harding High School and played with the United States Army General Clay Headquarters Band in Frankfurt, Germany. He earned a degree in business at Ohio University and began work at Republic Steel Corporation in Warren. He aced an aptitude test, and the company sent him to IBM training in Cleveland and Pittsburgh, and he was then tasked with automating a number of systems for Republic in Warren and Niles, Ohio. In the early 1980s he and Helen moved to Naples, Florida, and Jack designed IT systems at the Nature Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

Jack served as a deacon at Central Christian Church in Warren, Ohio and taught Sunday School at Living Lord Lutheran Church in Howland, Ohio. In Naples he was an Elder and Clerk of Session for First Presbyterian Church. Most recently he was a member of Penney Memorial Church.

Jack led Boy Scout troops in Ohio, and he took the boys camping twelve months a year. He served as a docent at the art galleries of the Naples Philharmonic. He traced his ancestry back to the early 1600s; his genealogy work brought him recognition in the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). He loved golf, fishing, and painting, and he loved to dream up weekend adventures around Ohio for his family. He created a unique and special connection with each of his children, his grandchildren, and his greats.

At Penney Farms Jack conducted the G-track at the Train Station and loved hearing visitors’ train stories. He volunteered at the wood shop, the frame shop, and the orchid house. He played clarinet in the Penney Farms band and the United States Navy Band of Jacksonville. He and Helen also played in the Clay County Band and the Recycles Orchestra and made guest appearances with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. They were twice honored as volunteers of the year at the Thrasher Horne Center. He was deeply moved by a veterans honor flight and visit to the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C.

Jack was strong, funny, thoughtful and kind. He always put others before himself. He knew how to listen. He will be missed.

A graveside service for Jack will be held at 12:30PM on Wednesday, June 11 at Jacksonville National Cemetery, Lane 1. 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, FL 32218. 

A memorial service will also be held the following day, Thursday, June 12 at 10:00AM at Penney Memorial Church. 4465 Poling Boulevard, Penney Farms, Florida 32079.