Donald (Don) Stephenson

Donald (Don) Stephenson was born to Earl and Wilhelmina Stephenson on July 22, 1946, in Garden City, Kansas. Don grew up in Abilene, Texas where he gave his life to the Lord at a young age. Don loved music and played the trombone throughout his time in school. His cousin, famous country singer Jeannie C. Riley, even dedicated a song title, “Plain Vanilla,” to Don, inspired by his favorite ice cream flavor. Don enlisted in the United States Navy shortly after high school where he spent one year stationed in San Diego, California, one year in Kodiak, Alaska and one year in Vietnam, before accepting an honorable discharge in 1969. Don came back home shortly after and met his soon-to-be-wife, Bea, who had just gotten a job at Grissom’s, the same department store Don worked at before his enrollment in the Navy.