Stephen was born on January 28, 1934, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from South High School in Salt Lake City (class of 1952), Utah State University (class of 1956), and Loyola University New Orleans College of Law (class of 1974). He excelled at basketball and football in his youth, and he played on the football team at Utah State. After college, Stephen served his country as an officer in the United States Air Force for ten years. In the late 1960s, he authored a best-selling exercise book.
After law school, Stephen began his legal career as a public defender in Las Vegas. In 1980, he was appointed as a judge to the Eighth Judicial District Court of Clark County, Nevada. He served as a judge in this Court for 22 years, retiring in 2002.
Stephen was a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a devoted member who served faithfully in many callings, including gospel doctrine teacher and high priests group leader. He served in the Las Vegas Temple for 20 years, which brought him great joy.
Stephen loved all sports, especially golf and tennis. His fondest memories are of playing golf with his sons, Stephen and David, at the old Showboat Country Club.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Josephine (“Jo”), and their three children -- son Stephen (Erlene) of Austin, Texas; son David of Las Vegas; and daughter Ashley (Brad) of McLean, Virginia. He also is survived by two children from his first marriage, son Gregory (Rhonda) of Oxnard, California, and daughter Lindy of San Clemente, California. He had 19 grandchildren. Stephen was predeceased by two children from his first marriage -- daughter, Stephanie, and son, Kelvin.
The funeral will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (2091 Wigwam Parkway, Henderson, Nevada 89074) on Thursday, April 28, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. with visitation at 9:00 a.m. at the same location.
In recognition of his military service and patriotism, Stephen will be interred at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada, in a service for family only.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations to Latter-day Saint Charities or to the Wounded Warrior Project.
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