Larkin Stephens

Larkin Leon Steve Stephens

Larkin Leon Steve Stephens was born on November 10, 1919 in Greenwood, Texas. He was the eighth child born to Larkin and Hettie Stephens and was raised in Pilot Point, Texas. His parents moved to California to work during the depression. In April 1938 he went to work for the Pacific Construction Company of Redding, CA working on the Shasta Dam Project. Working there until Dec 1941 when he was called to serve his country. He was inducted into the Army on February 3, 1942 and by May 12, 1942 he was in Australia with the 120th Field Artillery Battery of the 32nd Infantry Division. He was a gun crew member and they participated in the New Guinea Campaign, the Philippine Liberation Campaign and many others. Two years, nine months and 11 days later Steve returned home to the United States and suffering from Malaria and was sent to an Army hospital in Arkansas. On June 11, 1945 Steve was Honorably Discharged from the Army. After leaving the Army, Steve found his way to Artesia, N.M. and went to work for Glenns Appliance as a mechanic. He married Betty Eakers and they moved to Midway and Steve went to work for Sears Roebuck in Roswell as an appliance technician Steve and Betty went there separate ways in 1962. Steve continued working for Sears and then moved into Roswell. Steve enjoyed camping, rock hunting, fishing, bowling and painting. While at a local bowling center in Roswell, he met his future bride Blanche. After dating for a year and a half, Blanche and Steve married on October 27, 1968. Steve and Blanche traveled extensively throughout the United States. Completing 33 years of faithful service to Sears he retired in 1984.

He enjoyed his retirement and both Steve and Blanche continued to travel going to Mexico, Italy, France and Spain. Steve with a limited education taught himself to master the computer and enjoyed photography and art. The love of his life was his family and especially his grand kids and his dogs.

Steve is survived by his wife Blanche Stephens, of Roswell; his sons: Clifford Romero of Mission Viejo, CA, Richard Morgan of Roswell and Ronnie Helems of Austin, Texas; his daughters Yolanda Edgett of Roswell and Brenda Morgan of Wasilla, Alaska; his sister: Fay Nicholas of Plano, TX; a sister in law: Hazel Diron of Port Allen, LA; his grandchildren: Joshua and Alex Romero, Lisa Winchester, Stephen Edgett and Mathew Romero, Amanda Morgan, Ricky Morgan and Chuck Mangold; his great grandchildren: James and Patrick Edgett, Blake and Bryan Winchester. He was preceded in death by one son Tommy Phillips, four brother and three sisters.

A rosary is scheduled for Friday, February 2, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at Ballard Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral Mass will be Saturday, February 3, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peters Catholic Church. Military graveside services will follow at South Park Cemetery provided by local Veterans Honor Guard.

Pallbearers will be Archie Regalado, Ted Gonzales, Arthur Trujillo, Michael Trujillo, George Mendoza, Tom Edgett, Gerald Winchester and Michael Winchester.

The family wishes to thank the members of St. Peters Catholic Church for there kindness and the physicians and nurses at Eastern New Mexico Center for the care and kindness.
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Visitation

Ballard Funeral Home
910 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Thursday, February 1, 2007
8am7pm

Service

Rosary

Ballard Funeral Chapel
910 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203
Friday, February 2, 2007
7:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass

St. Peters Catholic Church
109 E. Deming
Roswell, NM  88203
Saturday, February 3, 2007
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203