Gerald Bert Stephens

Gerald Bert Stephens was born February 7, 1945 in Harrison, Arkansas to George Washington and Nomie Lockety (Turney) Stephens. He departed this life on February 3, 2022 at the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He entered the world on a snowy day and left this world to be with his Lord on a beautiful snowy day 76 years, 11 months, and 26 days later.

Bert grew up in the Chelsea and Adair areas, moving 17 times during his childhood and teen years and graduated from Adair High School in 1963. After graduation, he worked in the oilfield industry running heavy equipment in the panhandle of Texas and as a cement finisher in the Oklahoma City area. In 1967, he answered Uncle Sam’s call and joined the US Army. He attended IT training in Corpus Christi, Texas and was soon stationed aboard the Army’s only ship, the USNS Corpus Christi Bay. It was an Army Helo repair ship located in Cam Ranh Bay (cam ron bay) in the Vietnam province or Khanh Hoa (kon hoah). While on his tour of duty, he was a sheet metal worker and tasked with the maintenance and repair of Huey UH1B helicopters. He made regular maintenance flights and served as a door gunner on routine patrol flights. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal. He received commendation for his part in engineering a cooling device for twin M-60 machine guns.

Bert Married Pamela Sue Howard on June 2 , 1970 in Stilwell, Oklahoma and spent their first night as a married couple on their farm in the Baron community where they have called home for 51 years. To this union were born two children, Philip Gerald Stephens and Penny Sue Stephens Meridith. His favorite role was that of Poppy to his grandchildren Logan, Caitlin, Kileigh, Chase, and Lawson. He traveled the country to attend rodeos; basketball, football, baseball, and soccer games; archery meets; shooting contests; and was always game to take someone fishing.

He was a farmer by trade and raised chickens, turkeys, and cattle for more than 35 years. He also worked as an LP gas delivery man, heavy equipment operator, and as a reserve deputy for Westville PD and the Adair County Sheriff’s Office. He also served as a security guard and crosswalk guard for Westville Schools and provided many hours of volunteer labor for the community.

Bert leaves behind many loved ones to mourn his passing; his wife Pamela Stephens of the home; son Philip, his wife Shanda, and grandchildren Logan and Chase Stephens; daughter Penny, her husband Steven, and grandchildren Caitlin, Kileigh, and Lawson Meridith, all of Westville, Oklahoma; his special poodle, Lady; sister Deloris Jackson and her husband Norman of Chouteau, Oklahoma; sister Carol Engle, of Gentry, Arkansas; and a whole host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family members, and friends.

Online guest book, www.luginbuel.com.