Douglas Eugene Stephens

A memorial ceremony celebrating the life of Doug Stephens will be held at 11 AM Thursday, December 26, 2019, at the First Baptist Church in Bixby. Rev. Lendell Nolan will be officiating. Doug passed away Wednesday afternoon, December 18, 2019, at Clarehouse in Tulsa. He was 63.

Born August 31, 1956, in Tulsa, Doug was the son of C.L. and Joyce (Bordwine) Stephens. Doug grew up in Owasso where he graduated from high school. He was the oldest of three children. Doug met Deidra Cooke at the Tulsa State Fair when he was only fifteen years old. It was love at first sight there at the Funhouse, which remained a special place to them for over forty years. Doug and Deidre married April 6, 1974, and spent 45 wonderful years together.

Doug was a heat and air technician for over 30 years. He worked for his father-in-law’s company, Sunco Heat, and Air.

Nothing was more important to Doug than his family. You could count on one hand how many nights that he and Deidra spent apart. He also cherished every moment he spent with his children and grandchildren. Doug loved coaching tackle football and attending his children’s baseball and basketball games, as well as the wrestling matches. His grandchildren will always remember the tractor rides on the lawnmower, as well as Doug’s “whew yuck” funny faces he made while playing House. Doug had a keen ability and desire to make people smile, especially his loved ones.

Doug played numerous rounds of golf with his boys, camping with his family at the lake, and taking road trips to famous forts and battlefields throughout the South. These road trips would often be a surprise to his family on the morning of the getaway. Doug also loved NASCAR, always cheering for Matt Kenseth and the DeWalt team. He liked listening to music by guitarists such as Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Clapton, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. His family will always remember his giant tubs of “off-brand” cheese puffs.

Later in life, Doug became quite fond of his Maltese Poodle, Skippy…..and Skippy's feeling was mutual. He was always by Doug’s side during his illness and regularly brought him stuffed animals in the bed. Doug’s loving and caring nature will not soon be forgotten. His Christian faith was evident through his dedication to his family. Doug was baptized in the First Baptist Church of Bixby where he was a longtime member.

Surviving family members include his wife, Deidra; his children: Jason Stephens and his wife, Katy, Holly Kelley and her husband, Jason, and Aaron Stephens and his wife, Heather, and his daughter-in-law, Angie Stephens; his grandchildren: Rease and Baron Stephens, Hunter and Autumn Kelley, Taylor, Grant, Caleb, and Joshua Stephens, and Mackenzie Maher. Doug was preceded in death by his parents; and his son, Jacob Stephens.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Clarehouse, the Parkinson’s Association, or the Lewy Body Dementia Association.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Douglas Eugene Stephens, please visit our floral store.