Bob Stephenson

Bob Franklin Stephenson, age 90, of Collierville, Tennessee passed away on Sunday, January 30, 2022. Bob was born March 25, 1931 in Calhoun, TN to the late Luther and Martha Stephenson. He was raised on a farm, Stephenson attended and graduated from Calhoun High School where he was also a star basketball and baseball player.

In 1948, Bob began his college career at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and was a member of the freshman basketball team. Stephenson transferred to Tennessee Wesleyan Junior College, competing in football and basketball from 1949-1951; Then Bob arrived at Memphis State University where he played basketball for Eugene "Doc" Lambert. Stephenson was a starting forward, won 25 games.

The 1951 MSU team. In 1953 the well traveled Stephenson entered the U.S. Army. After his tour of duty with Uncle Sam he traveled with the Harlem Globetrotters for two seasons. During this time he also managed to complete his undergraduate degree in Health and Physical Education at Memphis State. In 1957-58 Stephenson served as a graduate assistant coach in basketball at Memphis State under Bob Vanatta. Coach Stephenson also earned his master's degree in secondary education at MSU in 1958.

Bob took a job at Halls, Tennessee in 1958-59 where he was head coach in basketball and baseball. After only one year at Halls, he moved to Memphis Catholic High where he was once again the head basketball and baseball coach. He also assisted in football.

Dean Ehlers called on Stephenson to become his basketball assistant at Memphis State in 1962.

In this same year Bob coached the MSU baseball team. Coach Stephenson also assisted Coach Mo Iba at MSU from 1966 through 1969. The 1967 team earned a trip to the National Invitational Tournament in New York City. In 1969, Stephenson became the Athletic Director and head basketball coach at Christian Brothers College. He took over a basketball program which had not had a winning season in eight years. He proceeded to accumulate more career wins (130) than any coach in CBC at that point in history. His teams shared the VSAC West title on two occasions.

Stephenson was named the SAC Coach of the Year in 1977-78 when his team was 23-11.

Bob Stephenson coached eight seasons before retiring from coaching in 1978 and then became a full time athletic director until his retirement in 1996. Bob was the prime mover in developing a CBC athletic program which was highly competitive and most respected. In 1976 as CBC Athletic Director he instituted a very successful women's athletic program. Coach Stephenson took the lead in many CBC fund raising efforts and he and Brother Cyril Conroy built many of the athletic facilities, literally by hand. Stephenson also served as chairman of the physical education department and as director of intramurals.

He is preceded in death by his siblings; Ed Stephenson and Mildred Pemberton.

Bob is survived by his wife of 65 years, Gaylia Stephenson, his children; Debbie Harrison (Greg) and Melanie Riggins (John), his grandchildren; Jenny , Kyle (Leslie), Stephen, and Ashley.

A visitation for Bob will be held Monday, February 7, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 3813 with a funeral service to follow at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Bob may be offered to the Athletic Departments at Christian Brothers University or The University of Memphis.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralGermantownParkway.com for the Stephenson family.