CORKY STEPHENS

LAMAR- The family will receive friends from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, at Daniel Funeral Home, for Donald Lee “Corky” Stephens, 61, Lamar, who died Wednesday afternoon, May 9, 2018 while at work at Giltser Mary Lee Popcorn Plant in Jasper, following a courageous five-month battle with cancer. A 5 p.m. gathering will be held to celebrate his life at the home of Matt and April Caruthers, 102 S. Grand St., Lamar.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Cornell-Beshore Cancer Institute, in care of the funeral home.

Condolences may be shared at www.danielfuneralhome.net.

Survivors include his wife, Pam; his children, Eric Martinez, Kansas City, Kan., April Caruthers and husband Matt, Lamar, Amber Cornell, Carthage and Tara Stephens, Joplin; a sister, Debbie Long, Lawrence, Kan. and a sister-in-law, Freda Ann Epperson and husband Randy, Springfield and several nieces and nephews. He delighted in his role as Papa to Michael, Courtney and Darin Caruthers, Kendel and Lanie Stephens and Tyler and Shayla Harris.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Ellene; a brother, Mike and a brother-in-law, Pat Long.

Mr. Stephens was born July 13, 1956, in Culver City, Calif., to Don and Ellene (Onstott) Stephens. Moving with his family to Jasper in 1958, he graduated from Jasper High School in 1975 and had worked at the Jasper Popcorn Plant for more than 30 years. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed horseback riding, participating in Civil War re-enactments, trips on his Harley-Davidson, beachfront vacations, hunting for sharks teeth and spending time with family and friends.

He married the love of his life, Pam Mason, on Jan. 25, 1991.