James Raymond Stephenson

James Raymond Stephenson, 20, of Hanover Township passed away unexpectedly January 2, 2010. James was born July 3, 1989, in Hamilton, Ohio. The son of Jeffery and Jennifer Binzer Stephenson and sister of Jacqueline Stephenson, James was a junior at Miami University majoring in urban and regional planning. Most recently, he worked as a student manager for the Miami University football team and at the university’s car wash; he was making plans to open a landscaping company with two friends. This past summer, James cut grass for Milford Township and volunteered as an assistant coach for the Talawanda Junior Varsity Baseball Team. He especially loved working outside with his father. James attended Talawanda schools and graduated from Talawanda High School in 2007. James was an artist, a baseball player and an avid outdoorsman who loved dirt-biking, hunting, fishing, skiing and the sunshine almost as much as he loved his truck. James could always put a smile on anybody’s face; ask him for anything and he’d try his hardest to do it. James was a shining role model for many children and young people, he fiercely protected those he loved, he had an unending respect for his mother and father, and he always stood up for the underdog -- working tirelessly for what was just and right. No matter where James was or what he was doing, he was a friend to all, touching the hearts and lives of everyone he knew. Simply put, everyone who met James, loved him. A funny, hard-working, polite and thoughtful guy, James has often been described as “one of the best people I ever met.” James’ family and friends still cannot believe that he’s gone. They will forever remember his smile and his beautiful, caring and easy-going demeanor that showed James’ love for life, and the people in it. Knowing James was a true privilege; he will be missed incredibly. James was preceded recently in death by his grandmother, Elsa Stephenson Burg, and previously by grandparents, James Donald Burg, James Allen Stephenson, Ruth Binzer, and a very special great-aunt, Helen Thompson, as well as a number of great-aunts and great-uncles. James is survived by his parents, Jeffery and Jennifer Binzer Stephenson; his best friend and sister, Jacqueline Stephenson; his grandparents, Mary and Raymond Binzer; and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and close friends. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. followed by a 1 p.m. memorial service celebrating James’ life on Saturday, January 9, 2010, at the Weigel Funeral Home, 980 NW Washington Boulevard, Hamilton. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the “James Stephenson Baseball Memorial Fund,” Talawanda Board of Education, 131 W. Chestnut St., Oxford, Ohio 45056.

Tributes

James Raymond Stephenson

January 2, 2010