Toppy was a resident of white salmon for more than 65 years. He was born In 1938, during a tumultuous period of American history. The 14th child of James and Bessie ( Courtney) Stephens entered the world as dust storms and hunger were pushing millions of families east in the help of work. After a short stop in Arizona, the Stephenson's settled in White Salmon. Three more brothers would follow Toppy into the world. He fondly remembered the hub of activity in the crowded Home and develop quick reflexes for biscuit grabbing at dinner time. He never lost his love for a simple meal of red beans. Love a family would remain the constant throughout his life.
After high school, he served in the army and spent time stationed in Germany during the Berlin crisis. In 1964, he married Gloria Barnes and had two children, John and Robin. He worked at the local grocery, then call the T &C, and finished his career in the Lumbermill, retiring from SD&S in 2000.
When reminiscing about his youth, he could recall in detail every basketball and baseball play he ever made. He passed his love a sport on to his son and and in the 1970s, coached his son's baseball team, taking Underwood fruit and warehouse on to win two local little league championships.
Learning and experiencing something new was a hallmark of Toppy's retirement years. He was an avid reader and traveled frequently. His favorite trips included his family —a trip to China and Russia to visit his son, visiting his grandchildren in Taiwan, a cruise to Alaska with his grandson, and a trip to the U.K. with his daughter are just a few of his many adventures. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren and would tell everyone, whether they listen or not.
Toppy is survived by his son, John Stephenson and daughter-in-law, Mei Lien of Kaohsiung, Taiwan; daughter Robin Stephenson of Portland, Oregon; grand children Samuel and Halona Stephenson of Taiwan; former spouse, Gloria Stephenson of Carson; Sister, Louise Milford of Sunnyside Washington and numerous nieces and nephews.
Information Columbia Gorge news obituary.
After high school, he served in the army and spent time stationed in Germany during the Berlin crisis. In 1964, he married Gloria Barnes and had two children, John and Robin. He worked at the local grocery, then call the T &C, and finished his career in the Lumbermill, retiring from SD&S in 2000.
When reminiscing about his youth, he could recall in detail every basketball and baseball play he ever made. He passed his love a sport on to his son and and in the 1970s, coached his son's baseball team, taking Underwood fruit and warehouse on to win two local little league championships.
Learning and experiencing something new was a hallmark of Toppy's retirement years. He was an avid reader and traveled frequently. His favorite trips included his family —a trip to China and Russia to visit his son, visiting his grandchildren in Taiwan, a cruise to Alaska with his grandson, and a trip to the U.K. with his daughter are just a few of his many adventures. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren and would tell everyone, whether they listen or not.
Toppy is survived by his son, John Stephenson and daughter-in-law, Mei Lien of Kaohsiung, Taiwan; daughter Robin Stephenson of Portland, Oregon; grand children Samuel and Halona Stephenson of Taiwan; former spouse, Gloria Stephenson of Carson; Sister, Louise Milford of Sunnyside Washington and numerous nieces and nephews.
Information Columbia Gorge news obituary.
Toppy was a resident of white salmon for more than 65 years. He was born In 1938, during a tumultuous period of American history. The 14th child of James and Bessie ( Courtney) Stephens entered the world as dust storms and hunger were pushing millions of families east in the help of work. After a short stop in Arizona, the Stephenson's settled in White Salmon. Three more brothers would follow Toppy into the world. He fondly remembered the hub of activity in the crowded Home and develop quick reflexes for biscuit grabbing at dinner time. He never lost his love for a simple meal of red beans. Love a family would remain the constant throughout his life.
After high school, he served in the army and spent time stationed in Germany during the Berlin crisis. In 1964, he married Gloria Barnes and had two children, John and Robin. He worked at the local grocery, then call the T &C, and finished his career in the Lumbermill, retiring from SD&S in 2000.
When reminiscing about his youth, he could recall in detail every basketball and baseball play he ever made. He passed his love a sport on to his son and and in the 1970s, coached his son's baseball team, taking Underwood fruit and warehouse on to win two local little league championships.
Learning and experiencing something new was a hallmark of Toppy's retirement years. He was an avid reader and traveled frequently. His favorite trips included his family —a trip to China and Russia to visit his son, visiting his grandchildren in Taiwan, a cruise to Alaska with his grandson, and a trip to the U.K. with his daughter are just a few of his many adventures. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren and would tell everyone, whether they listen or not.
Toppy is survived by his son, John Stephenson and daughter-in-law, Mei Lien of Kaohsiung, Taiwan; daughter Robin Stephenson of Portland, Oregon; grand children Samuel and Halona Stephenson of Taiwan; former spouse, Gloria Stephenson of Carson; Sister, Louise Milford of Sunnyside Washington and numerous nieces and nephews.
Information Columbia Gorge news obituary.
After high school, he served in the army and spent time stationed in Germany during the Berlin crisis. In 1964, he married Gloria Barnes and had two children, John and Robin. He worked at the local grocery, then call the T &C, and finished his career in the Lumbermill, retiring from SD&S in 2000.
When reminiscing about his youth, he could recall in detail every basketball and baseball play he ever made. He passed his love a sport on to his son and and in the 1970s, coached his son's baseball team, taking Underwood fruit and warehouse on to win two local little league championships.
Learning and experiencing something new was a hallmark of Toppy's retirement years. He was an avid reader and traveled frequently. His favorite trips included his family —a trip to China and Russia to visit his son, visiting his grandchildren in Taiwan, a cruise to Alaska with his grandson, and a trip to the U.K. with his daughter are just a few of his many adventures. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren and would tell everyone, whether they listen or not.
Toppy is survived by his son, John Stephenson and daughter-in-law, Mei Lien of Kaohsiung, Taiwan; daughter Robin Stephenson of Portland, Oregon; grand children Samuel and Halona Stephenson of Taiwan; former spouse, Gloria Stephenson of Carson; Sister, Louise Milford of Sunnyside Washington and numerous nieces and nephews.
Information Columbia Gorge news obituary.
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