Richard J. Stephenson

October 30, 1930 - December 15, 2020

Richard J. Stephenson, age 90, passed away on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at Fort Hamilton Hospital in Hamilton, Ohio. Richard was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years JoAnn (Dempsey), his parents, and his sister Barbara A. (Stephenson) Lyter. He is survived by two children – Connie J. Walker (Rob) and Thomas G. Stephenson (Susan); four grandchildren – Erin E. Walker, Ross C. Walker (Melanie), Sarah L. Stephenson (Atul Deshmukh), and Margaret R. Stephenson; and four great grandchildren – Wilson, Liesel, and Hogan Walker and Vivian Deshmukh. Richard was born October 30, 1930 in Hamilton, Ohio to George H. and Martha K. (Clauser) Stephenson. He graduated from Hamilton High School in 1948 and attended Miami University where he lettered in varsity basketball. He was married on April 5, 1951. Richard began his career working for Gulf Oil. He started R. J. Stephenson, Inc. in 1967 (later renamed Stephenson Oil Co.) supplying heating oil to homes. He expanded that business to include wholesale and retail sales of gasoline, diesel, and lubricants. He expanded further by adding car washes and convenient stores. Other business he ventures into included The Red Ox Drive-Thru in Oxford, Ohio, a smoked rib carryout business, and selling lawn and garden equipment. He retired from Stephenson Oil in 1990. Richard lived most of his life in and near Hamilton, Ohio. He lived at his farm near Millville for 18 years where he raised Beefmaster cattle. In 1995, he and Jo built a home on Daufuskie Island in South Carolina. Later, they built a house and moved to Berkeley Hall in Bluffton, South Carolina. They moved back to Hamilton in 2015 and he lived there the remainder of his life. Richard was a natural and gifted athlete who not only participated in but excelled in all sports including, baseball, softball, basketball, tennis, handball, table tennis, swimming, hunting, fishing, and golf (maybe excelled in golf is a bit generous – but he sure enjoyed it and had many lasting friendships and shared memories from it). Richard was always involved in the communities he lived. He was a past President of Taft High School Boosters Association and served on many boards including the Y.M.C.A., Mercy Hospital, First National Bank, Berkeley Hall, the Ohio Petroleum Marketers Association, and the Ohio Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Release Compensation Board. He was also Chairman of the Board for Home Federal Savings and Loan in Hamilton, Ohio. He was a devoted member of The Presbyterian Church of Hamilton and was active in Church while living in South Carolina. Also known as Dick, R. J., Steve, Grandpa, Pappy, and Rocky, Richard was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend who embraced, endorsed, and supported family and friends. The family expresses appreciation and gratitude to Colonial at Home devoted caregivers, the Hamilton Paramedic Service, Fort Hamilton Hospital emergency facility, and especially the fifth-floor nursing staff for their care and compassion. The family gives praise and thanks to God for all His blessings and the gift of allowing us to share in Richard’s life. Memorials can be made to The Presbyterian Church of Hamilton, Ohio, 23 S. Front Street, Hamilton, Ohio 45011 or Great Miami Valley YMCA, 105 North 2nd Street, Hamilton, Ohio 45011. Interment services will be private. Memorial Service and Celebration of Life gathering may be announced at a future date. Online condolences are available at www.weigelfuneralhome.com