Jeffrey Bennett Stephenson

Jeffrey Bennett Stephenson passed away peacefully on July 9, 2023, just 11 days past his 53rd wedding anniversary to Wendy Lee Stephenson (Curran). Wendy was by his side when Jeff decided it was time to join his parents, the late Stanley and Mary Jane (Felts) Stephenson. Stan and Mary Jane married during World War II while Stan was on a weekend pass.  Stan then shipped off on the aircraft carrier Enterprise and Mary Jane soon found she was pregnant--with twins no less. 

Jeff was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 25, 1945 with his twin brother, Michael James Stephenson. The twins were later joined by a younger brother, Stanley James Stephenson Jr., known to family and friends as “Tim.” The family moved to Atherton, California in 1962 where Jeff was active in the Menlo Atherton High School. He tried out for several sports, but settled on swimming and excelled at butterfly. 

Jeff and Mike attended Linfield College in McMinnville, OR where he obtained a BS in Business Administration. Jeff was active in his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, and became President of the “Pike House.” While attending Linfield, he met Wendy who was pursuing a BS in Nursing. There is some dispute as to whether it was Mike or Jeff who originally set up a date with Wendy, but it was Jeff who showed up.  Wendy was named the “Dream Girl” of the fraternity and her name remains on the bell at the Pi Kappa Alpha house. After graduation, Jeff enlisted as an officer in the Navy on Dec 1, 1967, but not before asking Wendy to marry him. Jeff went to Navy flight school in 1968 where he did well, but later flunked an eye exam. He was then transferred to a ship which served as part of the “Brown Water Navy” in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam, the scene of much close combat. Jeff and Wendy married upon his return on June 28, 1969.  Jeff finished his Navy career as a recruitment officer in Seattle, while Wendy completed her nursing degree at the University of Oregon Medical School in Portland.  Jeff then obtained an MBA from the U of O in Eugene.  He went on to hold a number of marketing positions before starting a publishing company in Denver. 

Jeff was a man of many interests.  He was a hot air balloon pilot, a mountain climber and hiker, a skier, a sailor, a fly fisherman and a golfer. He loved the mountains and the sea, but most of all the sea, around which he grew up.  He enjoyed working around the house, but always seemed to feel that duct tape was the answer. His family jokes that when in doubt just duct tape it.

Like many veterans, Jeff rarely talked about his experiences in Vietnam. Later in life, the war began to take its toll. Jeff overcame the alcohol addiction that resulted and remained active in AA for the rest of his life.  With sobriety, Jeff chose to give back to those who were dealing with similar issues and became an AA mentor. He touched many hearts, with some saying he saved their lives. Jeff always placed others before himself, was a man who truly cared about his friends and family, and loved unconditionally.

Jeff is survived by his wife Wendy; his brothers, Mike and Tim; his children and their spouses, Rob and Aisha Stephenson and Ashley and Eric McCann; and his four grandchildren, Marley and Reece Stephenson and Hunter and Macklin McCann. Jeff will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

There will be a service for Jeff at the Good Shepard Episcopal Church on August 10, 2023 at 1:30pm with a reception following the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Jeff Stephenson to the Alzheimer’s Association at ALZ.org or 1-800-272-3900.