Stephen Mark Stephens, 73
Stephen Mark Stephens, 73, passed on peacefully in his sleep on Dec. 25, 2011. He was born to Edward Cecil Stephens and Ortheo Stephens on May 21, 1938, in Salt Lake City.
The son of a mining geologist, Steve moved with his family to Spokane at the age of 7. He had a fascination with classic cars; as a teenager he restored a Rio and Model T and enjoyed cruising with his friends whom he kept in close contact with throughout his life.
Steve attended Jefferson Grade School and Lewis and Clark High School; graduated from college and then law school, establishing a private law practice in Carson City, Nev. He fathered two sons, whom he was very proud of, Mark and John Stephens, by his first wife Patricia Baczuk-Stephens.
A man with exemplary courage; making lemonade out of life's lemons and maintaining a positive outlook even in the face of losing his leg and eyesight to diabetes; these were minor speed bumps to him, often saying "My life has been full of platinum moments."
He genuinely extended himself to others and kept in close contact with many lifelong friends. His love was unconditional and he often told those he loved that nothing would change his love, not even death; that there was a soul connection before this lifetime and it would continue after this journey here on Earth was over.
Steve embraced the spirit of life by maintaining a wide span of interests, fostering a love of learning and pursuing personal discovery into his last days. He loved a good joke, great literary works; was an intellectual conversationalist and a prolific collector of PAMS (Proverbs, Advice, Maxims and Sayings).
He loved a great evening of playing the guitar and singing songs with good friends and loved ones. He enjoyed music such as Simon and Garfunkel's "Scarborough Fair" or a funny tune for children of all ages.
Stephen M. Stephens is survived by his children, Mark and John Stephens; sister Ester Hardy; brother-in-law Wayne Hardy; daughter-in-law Amy Stephens; grandchildren Liam and Gage Stephens; niece Cecilia Kidder; nephews Mark Mueller and Steve Thompson; great-nephew Matthew Kidder; second wife Helen Stephens and her children Charlene Jackson, Karl and Brian Bartrop, and Tiffany (Tiffy) Ireland.
His family and friends are grateful for having him in our lives and he will be with us always. Thanks Uncle Steve, Oh Captain My Captain! We love you!
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. today, Dec. 30, 2011, at Heritage Place, 702 W. Walnut, Coeur d'Alene. A graveside service will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, at Spokane Memorial Gardens, South 5909 Cheney-Spokane Road, Spokane. English Funeral Chapel, Coeur d'Alene, is in care of the arrangements.