Edward Lee Stephenson's Obituary
Edward Lee Stephenson: 81, died November 13th, 2019 in his home in Claude, TX.
Services will be held on November 26th at 11 o’clock at the First United Methodist Church, 400 Trice St, Claude, TX. Burial will follow in Claude Cemetery in Claude.
Arrangements are by Robertson Claude Chapel.
Edward was born on his family farm, in Claude, on June 1st, 1938. He learned the value of work and to love the land while growing up on the family dairy. He graduated from Claude High School in 1956 and loved and kept in close contact with friends he made there throughout his life.
He married his wife, Nelda Hundley, in Claude, in 1959 and they raised their family on his grandparent’s farm in the Fairview community on FM 1151. It was there where his family and friends shared many lasting memories making midnight runs to Amarillo to eat breakfast or Mexican food at the Sands Motel and covert bidding wars at the Fairview Fall Carnival over sweet treats. It was also there where Edward taught life lessons to his girls in unique ways such as: teaching them directions by allowing them to drive around the pasture for hours while trying to find their way home or making them chase the pickup down dirt roads after they got out to close the gate.
Edward enjoyed spending time with lifelong friends and their families during week long lake trips and many costal fishing trips. He loved travel and could never get enough. He loved sharing the outdoors with his grandkids whether that be checking cows, riding the tractor, sledding during a snowy day, on an old car hood, or admonishing them not to crawl over the gate but rather to go under the barbed wire. He couldn’t swim a lick but loved to take trips to Greenbelt Lake with family for skiing, fishing, or simply cooking over the campfire.
Edward was a member of the Claude United Methodist Church and served on many church and community boards throughout his life where he believed in giving back to the community. Edward was: an active member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce; Jaycee of the year 1968; Jaycee State director 1971-1972; Jaycee Outstanding Young Farmer 1973; Staked Plains Soil and Water Conservation District Outstanding Conservationist 1980; a member of many years on the Claude Chamber of Commerce; Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year 1987; Lions Club Citizens of the Year 1992-1993; and Chamber Man of the Year 2001. He served and was instrumental in the Claude Museum Board where he believed in preserving the history of this community and was most recognized on his modified lawn mower from which he directed the parade, for numerous years, during Caprock Roundup after sitting up all night cooking beans for the barbecue.
Edward was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Bernice Stephenson. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Nelda Hundley Stephenson; three daughters: Lisa Stephenson of Amarillo, Lori Stockstill and husband Greg Stockstill of Canyon, and Leslie Knox and husband Tim of Claude; four Granddaughters: Ralee Paul and husband Josh of Canyon, Bailey Knox of Loveland Colorado, Samantha Lowry and Husband Keith III of Claude, Sydney Knox of Canyon; One Grandson (Finally Got A Boy): Tell Stockstill of Canyon; 2 great granddaughters: Madilyn and Decklyn Paul; and four sisters: Evelyn Davis of Arizona, Frances Stephenson of Arizona, Mary Howard of Oklahoma, and Lawona Guynes of Oklahoma.
In lieu of flowers the family requests Memorials be made to:
Claude United Methodist Church
PO Box 136 Claude, TX 79019
Or
Claude EMS
PO Box 231 Claude, TX 79019
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