LaFontaine High School, class of 1925

James Bryce Stephens, known as J.B., passed away May 8, 2008 at the age of 100, in Greenfield, In.
He was a former teacher, coach, principal, superintendent as well as a community leader. The J.B. Stephens Elementary School was named for his community leadership and his involvement in the education of Greenfield students.

J.B., the son of Flora and Homer Stephens, was born December 24, 1907, in LaFontaine, IN/ He had one sister and one brother, both deceased. J.B. received his elementary and high school education at LaFontaine, IN. In 1925 he graduated from high school. He attended Muncie Normal, later named Ball State University, where he received a degree in education. While at Ball State he was a member of the Cardinal football team and manager of the baseball and basketball teams. J.B. was a member of the Triangle fraternity house where he was the business manager. He served as a member of the Orient year book staff. He received his Masters Degree from Indiana University. He also studied at Butler and Purdue Universities.

He was a professional educator for forty-three years. He taught social studies and coached at LaFontaine, Cicero, Fishers, Sweetser and North Manchester. The most successful team J.B. coached was the Cicero Red Devils. He took that team to the basketball State finals in 1932. In 1944, he became recreational director of the Noblesville Schools. He was named principal of Noblesville High School in 1947. From 1960 to 1971, he served as Superintendent of Greenfield Central Community School Corporation.

He married the girl next door, Lucile Hammond, on March 22, 1930. They were married 70 years until she passed away in 2000. They have three daughters, Sue Gary and Linda (Hugh) McMinn, Indianapolis; and Kay (John) Coomer, Greenwood; six grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

Along with two other community leaders, J.B. assisted in revitalizing and organizing the Riley Festival in Greenfield. He served as chairman of the event for twenty-five years. He was an elder and chairman of the board for both the Noblesville and Greenfield Christian Churches. J.B. was twice President of the Greenfield Kiwanis Club and was the Lieutenant Governor of the Rose Division for the State. He received the Table of Honor Award for fifty years of service given by Kiwanis International. He was on the staff of Hoosier Boys State for twenty five years, the last seven as Dean of Counselors. J.B. has served on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club, the American Red Cross, Cancer Society, Heart Association, Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, Riley Festival and Retired Teachers. In recent years he was often recognized for having attended the boy's state basketball finals for 82 consecutive years. For his devotion and commitment to his communities he has received many honors and awards. In 1945, he received the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America. Governor Evan Bayh presented him a Sagamore of the Wabash in 1992. He was named Outstanding Educator by the Indiana association of Public School Superintendents in 1981. He was inducted in the Hamilton County Basketball Hall of Fame and the Greenfield Central High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He received the Outstanding Alumni Award given by the LaFontaine alumni and the Life Time Achievement Award given by the Noblesville High School alumni association. The newest Elementary School in Greenfield was named in his honor.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at Stillinger Family Funeral Home, Pasco Chapel of Greenfield with Pastor John Davis officiating. Burial will follow at the LaFontaine I.O.O.F. Cemetery, LaFontaine, IN at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday. Friends may call Monday, May 12, 2008 from 2-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to Greenfield Kiwanis Scholarship Fund, 1277 N. Apple Street, Greenfield, IN 46140; J.B. Stephens Elementary School, 1331 N. Blue Road, Greenfield, IN 46140 Attention, Pat Capen or Noblesville Alumni Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 818, Noblesville, IN 46061.

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