Obituary of Lewis Kelly Stephens

Lewis Kelly Stephens January 5, 1928 - December 15, 2011 Louie graduated from Milwaukie High School in 1947. He loved hunting, fishing and spending time with his family. Louie passed peacefully at home with family by his side. He is survived by wife of 64 years Joyce (Geston), children; Tom, Linda and Patty, four grandchildren, one great grandson, sister Jeanette and brother Dick. A memorial will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 11631 SE Linwood Ave in Milwaukie on January 8, 2012 at 2:30pm. Please visit www.anewtradition.com for more information. Louie was born in Seaside, Oregon on January 5, 1928. His family moved to this area when he was 6 years old. He met his wife Joyce when they were in the 8th grade. They went steady all through high school and married right after graduating from Milwaukie High School in 1947. He worked as a pharmaceutical salesman in Albany, Oregon for McKesson Robbins Drug Company. The family then moved to Milwaukie where he went to work for Mutual Wholesale Drug. Louie loved to hunt and fish. He, his dad and brothers went deer hunting every year from the time when he was a young boy. Louie and his brother Carl continued to go hunting up until they were in their 70’s. He and Carl also spent a lot of time together fishing in the Willamette River for spring Chinook. Louie enjoyed going camping and bought a new camper when he retired. He had great camping trips with his boat fishing, and with his family. He never missed his grandkids sporting events. He attended every baseball, football, softball and basketball game that they played in and enjoyed them all. There was nothing that Louie could not fix. He had the knack to figure out how to fix everything. His kids and grandkids would always call him for advice when something broke down because they knew he would have an answer. If needed, he would drop everything and be there in a flash with his tool box in hand. His family could always count on him no matter what was needed. He cared so much that he would figure out a way to help in any situation. His love and support were truly amazing to his family, extended family, neighbors, and to anyone who knew Louie. Louie kept everything neat, clean and organized even in his garage. You could have eaten off the garage floor it was so clean. He kept up a beautiful yard that never had a weed in it or a blade of grass out of place. He was a hard worker. He made ambitious lists and got done more in a day than most people would accomplish in a week. His highlight at the end of his life was his great grandson Parker. He always looked forward to when he was coming over to visit. Parker called him “Bampa” Louie. They were very close as was Louie to all his grandkids. Louie had a sense of humor right up until the end of his life. Even when he was sick he joked and laughed. He never complained about being sick and not being able to get around very well. The most important thing on his mind was to make sure that Joyce was taken care of. The first thing out of his mouth to his kids when he found out he had months to live was “make sure you take care of your mother.” Louie was the most loving, supporting and devoted husband, father and friend anyone could ever ask for. He will always hold a special place in the hearts of his family members and to a lot of others who knew him.