John Harold Stephenson, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and decorated veteran, passed away peacefully at his Cary, NC home on September 29, 2024, at the age of 85. His passing marks the end of a courageous, years-long battle with ALS, but his legacy of service, dedication to family, and passion for life will endure. John Stephenson was surrounded by his loving family in his final days, including his wife of 59 years, Sandra, their children John, Anita, and Paul, daughter-in-law Lisa, grandchildren Owen, Reid, Miles, and Bryce, and future son-in-law Michael, along with close family and friends. Fittingly, John Stephenson spent his last Saturday watching his cherished NC State Wolfpack secure a victory, a final joy in a life well-lived.
Born on June 25, 1939, in Smithfield, NC, John Stephenson was the son of Elbert and Novie Stephenson. He spent his childhood in the McGees Crossroads community alongside his brother, Bob. Life took him to Raleigh where a chance encounter at a drive-in diner in October 1961 led him to Sandra. Their bond deepened, culminating in marriage at Angier Baptist Church in 1965. The Brentwood community became the backdrop for raising their family, and John Stephenson and Sandra cultivated lasting friendships that remained precious throughout their lives. John Stephenson pursued higher education, earning an associate’s degree in business, which laid the foundation for his distinguished career.
A Dedicated Military Career
John Stephenson’s commitment to service defined a significant portion of his life. He dedicated 36 years to serving his country, both in the National Guard and the Army Reserves. Rising to the rank of Sergeant Major within the 171st Support Unit, John Stephenson demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment. As a supervisor until his retirement in 1995, his military career took him across the globe and throughout the United States, forging lifelong bonds with fellow service members. Even after retirement, these connections remained strong, with monthly retiree lunches providing opportunities to reminisce and share stories of their shared experiences.
Retirement Years Filled with Joy and Community
Upon retiring from military service, John Stephenson embraced nearly three decades of pursuing his passions. Spending quality time with family and friends at their Topsail Island beach home was a cherished retreat. Golf became another major part of John Stephenson’s life in retirement. He was a regular presence at Prestonwood Country Club, often referring to his golf outings with senior friends as “going to the office.” An avid golfer until ALS affected his balance at 83, John Stephenson impressively shot his age or better 227 times and achieved 8 holes-in-one. While the inability to play golf was a loss, he often emphasized missing the camaraderie with his golfing friends even more than the game itself. These friendships extended beyond the golf course to weekly card games, fondly known as “board meetings” held in his basement, which included family and friends and continued until just ten days before his passing.
Beyond his personal hobbies, John Stephenson was deeply involved in the NCSU sports community as an usher for many years. His dedication to service also extended to volunteering as a coordinator for the SAS Tournament at Prestonwood for over 20 years, showcasing his commitment to his community.
Honoring a Life Well-Lived
The family expresses heartfelt gratitude for the compassionate care John Stephenson received throughout his battle with ALS. Special thanks are extended to Dr. Richard Bedlack and the Duke ALS Clinic team, the hospice nurses, and especially to Sandra, John’s wife, whose unwavering dedication allowed him to spend his final days in the comfort of his home.
A celebration of John Stephenson’s life will be held on Sunday, October 20th at 2:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, NC. A reception will follow the service. In a final expression of his Wolfpack spirit, John Stephenson requested attendees to wear red.
Parking Information for the Service:
Limited parking is available at First Presbyterian Church, accessible from Morgan and Hargett Streets, prioritized for those with walking difficulties. Street parking is free on Sundays, and additional parking is available at the municipal parking deck on W. Morgan Street.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to ALS research at the Duke ALS Clinic, the John & Sandra Stephenson NCSU Endowment, the Friendship Fund at First Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, or Providence Presbyterian Church in Angier, NC.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Bryan-Lee Funeral Home of Raleigh. Online condolences can be shared at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com, allowing friends and family to further celebrate the life of John Stephenson.
