Jimmie Ray Stephenson

Jimmie Ray Stephenson, a longtime resident of Henryetta, passed from this life on April 2, 2018 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 75. Jimmie was born on March 19, 1943 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma to WIlburn Stephenson and Mary Ray Hinchey Stephenson. He grew up in the Schulter and Wilson communities and graduated from Schulter High School. He later attended Okmulgee Tech in Okmulgee, OK where he earned a degree in commercial art/advertising.

Jimmie married the love of his life, Letha Brison in Schulter, Oklahoma. They remained happily married for 57 years until his death. From that marriage Jimmie and Letha were blessed with two remarkable boys, Terry and Mark.

Following college, Jimmie sat on an advisory board for OSU . He spent most of his adult life working as a publisher for a variety of newspapers including The Okmulgee Times, where he worked for 24 years. He also worked with newspapers in Bonham, TX, Slidell, LA, Ulysses, KS, Spearfish, SD, Derby, KS, and Cushing, Oklahoma. Jimmie was a longtime member of the Wilson Baptist Church. Among the many community and civic organizations he served, he was a member of the Lions Club of Okmulgee, The Okmulgee Elks Club, and the Chamber of Commerce. Jimmie was a lifelong car enthusiast and he loved working in his yard and gardens. Most of all, Jimmie was a loving son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather and he adored the time he got to spend with his family, especially his grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his father, Wilburn Stephenson; a brother, Jurl Stephenson; a father-in-law, Joe Brison; a mother-in-law, Verna Brison; and a sister-in-law, Robbie Summers.

Jimmie is survived by his wife, Letha Stephenson of the home; his mother, Mary Stephenson of Schulter; 2 sons, Terry Stephenson and wife Sharla of Schulter and Mark Stephenson and wife Rhonda of Wilson; three grandchildren, Laci Robertson, Lisa Thompson and husband Michael, and Terra Boatright & husband John; six great grandchildren, B.J. Robertson, Dayton Robertson, Nash Norris, Rayden Thompson, Scarlet Thompson, and Axel Boatright; one sister, Sue Dahlem and husband Ron of Moore, OK; a brother-in-law, Johnny Brison and wife Dena of Jenks, OK; a host of nieces nephews and other extended family, and many good friends.

Viewing for Jimmie will be held on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 from 2:00pm until 8:00pm and on Thursday, April 5, 2018 from 8:00am until 8:00pm at Integrity Funeral Service in Henryetta. The family will be present to meet and greet friends at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 6:00pm until 8:00pm.

A funeral is set for 10:00am on Friday, April 6, 2018 at Schulter Baptist Church in Schulter, Oklahoma with Rev. Jack Vance and Rev. Phil Barton officiating. Interment will follow immediately at Salem Cemetery under the direction of Integrity Funeral Service.

Pallbearers will be Allen Mahar, B.J. Robertson, Kenny Dalhem, Randy Andrews, Michael Thompson, and John Boatright. Honorary bearers will be Chuck Ellis, Ricky Andrews, Nathan Dahlem, and Dayton Robertson.

The family has designated the American Diabetes Association, 2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 900, Arlington, VA 22201 and/or The American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231 as appropriate for memorial contributions.

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