Longtime and well known Alamosa resident Gary Edward Stephens, 86, passed away January 7, 2016 at the San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center in Alamosa.

Gary’s story began on June 7, 1929 in Alamosa, Colorado. He was the proud son of James R. and Lillian M. Camp Stephens. He met Betty Hampton while attending college in 1948 and they were united in marriage on June 1, 1952 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. They celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary this past year.

Gary served in the United States Air Force and was the sole survivor of a medivac helicopter crash in Korea. His injuries from this accident kept him immobile for five months in a hospital in Japan. He was stationed in F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Following his discharge from the service, they returned with their young family to Alamosa in 1954 where Gary took a job at Sherman Drug Company and worked on finishing his degree in Education from Adams State. They then moved to Creede where he served as both the County Superintendent and the Superintendent of Schools for four years. In 1960 they returned to Alamosa and Gary taught at Evans Intermediate and Evans Junior High Schools in Alamosa and would later take the position of Principal of Central Elementary School. Gary then went on to teach for Adams State and was awarded Professor Emeritus in 1984 and was inducted into the Adams State University Hall of Fame in 2013.

In his younger years, Gary enjoyed Skiing and skied up until into his 60’s. He loved his family dearly and kept them close throughout the years. Gary was active in, and served as a Lay Minister in the First United Methodist Church in Alamosa. He also volunteered many hours doing pro-bono work for the Valley Bar Association and was on the board of Hospice del Valle.

Gary is survived by his wife Betty Stephens of the family home; his children Nancy (Paul) Minow of Alamosa and Donald (Sandra) Stephens of Fowler, CO; his grandchildren: Bonnie (Tom) Ortega, Sherrie (Paul) Price, Robert (Nichole) Hopper and Jennifer (Shawn) Thedell; his great-grandchildren: Tyler, Riley, Raelle, Braiden, Jessa and one soon to be grandchild; he is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers James Robert Stephens, Jr., Donald C. Stephens and Marcus Stephens.

Cremation was chosen and a Memorial Service will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church in Alamosa. Inurnment of ashes will follow services in the First United Methodist Church Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory can be made to Hospice del Valle or to the First United Methodist Church.

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