Ronald Stephens

Ronald Roy Stephens, husband, father, grandfather, computer programmer, automotive enthusiast, and do-it-yourselfer, passed away at home with his family at his side on July 2, 2022. Ron was born on June 11, 1941 on a farm just south of Simla, Colorado.

His parents, Robert and Dolly (Weaver) Stephens, owned a local dairy farm where he spent his younger years growing up in the country. It wasn’t until his parents sold the farm and moved to Colorado Springs that he graduated from the only high school in town, Colorado Springs High School. After high school, Ron moved on to Parks School of Business to study accounting and the IBM series 50, an early mainframe computer.

Ron began his long and illustrious career in May of 1961 as a computer operator/programmer working for Wolf Research and Development Corporation. While Working for Wolf Research, he was discovered by the Civil Service Department of the Air Force and helped construct what is known today as our early warning missile systems for NORAD and the Civil Air Defense. In the 80’s, Ron found himself working for the Directorate of Test and Certification, where he led a team testing and maintaining the accuracy of our civil defense software. When Ron retired in 2007, he was serving as the lead for the Systems Technical Performance Evaluation Program, conducting the end-to-end test of operational ITW/AA Systems, with 42 locations worldwide, an annual test directed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Ron is survived by his loving wife Marie (Perrill), his son Doug, his daughter Laura, son-in-law Owen, his two grandkids, Logan and Gavin, younger sister Linda Simmons and many extended family members and friends. In his spare time when he wasn’t working on home improvements, rental property, or fixing things his kids broke, Ron enjoyed vacations with his family and several sports that allowed him to spend time with those he loved. Some of the sports he enjoyed most were bike riding, family get-togethers with the Weavers, roller skating, basketball, and skiing, just to name a few. You could often find him on the weekends teaching his kids a new skill, helping his neighbors, or just helping his wife get ready for special homemade burgers on the back patio under the umbrella. Ron and Marie met while attending Alta Vista grade school. They were childhood friends that were separated when his parents moved to the Springs. Somehow Ron’s mother couldn’t forget, and encouraged Ron to spend time with “that lovely girl Marie in your classes.” It wasn’t until Marie moved into the Springs, so that she could attend Blair Business college, that they were reunited and began their beautiful courtship. Ron and Marie were married in October 1963. She gave birth to two children, one boy Doug in 1970, and one girl Laura in 1972. Ron and Marie were married at Bethany Baptist Church, and became full time members of the congregation in 1963. In 1989 Ron’s family moved across town and began attending Village Seven Presbyterian Church where they currently enjoy services today.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Swan-Law.com for the Stephens family.