Stephens

Memorial services for Robert Howard “Bob” Stephens, 63, of Tyler will be held at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 17, 2018, at Rock-dale Masonic Lodge No. 414, 789 US 77 in Rock-dale, with Brother Jim Maines officiating.

Mr. Stephens died Thursday, Nov. 1, at Hospice of East Texas. He fought lung cancer like a warrior, and always with a smile and a joke.

He was born Aug. 15, 1955, in Grand Junction, Colorado, then quickly moved to Lafayette, Louisiana.

Mr. Stephens graduated from Lafayette High School in Lafayette, Louisiana, and then attended Louisiana State University.

First and foremost, he was an avid fisherman and boater. In his younger days, he worked off-shore on oil rigs where he developed his love of the ocean. Then he moved to Key Largo, Florida, where he owned and captained his scuba dive boat “Freebird” for 15 years.

There he met the love of his life, Deborah. Moving back to Texas, they settled in Rockdale, where he owned and operated Bob’s Speedy Lube. After retiring in 2014, Bob and Deborah moved to Tyler.

Mr. Stephens was an active member and Past Master of Masonic Lodge No. 414 in Rockdale. He participated in Shriners in both Austin and Tyler.

He enjoyed hunting and camping, and flew radio-controlled planes for many years.

Mr. Stephens was a member of Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Myrtle Stephens.

Survivors are his wife of 23 years, Deborah Stephens; a brother, John Stephens; and his in-laws, Anne and Gary Barr and extended family; as well as many friends.

Memorials may be made to Rockdale Masonic Lodge No. 414, 789 US 77, Rock-dale, TX 75657 or to Access-2mobility (Handicap Children’s Easter Egg Hunt), 12406 SH 155 South, Tyler, TX 75703.