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Allan D. Stephens Richmond, KY QCWA # 23156 |
Allan Durand Stephens, 70, died Tuesday, December 14, 2010, at the Hospice Compassionate Care Center in Richmond, KY, of cancer.
Stephens was born on June 2, 1940, in Springfield, the son of Charles Bennett Stephens and Cordelia Crout Stephens Fues, who both preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his brother, the Reverend Stuart P. Stephens.
As a youth, Stephens participated in Boy Scouts through Troop 36 at Laurel United Methodist Church and was especially proud to be an Eagle Scout and a member of the Order of the Arrow. After graduating from Springfield High School in 1958, Stephens attended Northwestern University, then received his BS degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He later earned his teaching credentials from the University of Texas at Austin and completed his Masters degree at Southwest Texas University at San Marcos. During the Vietnam conflict he served his country as a communications officer in the U.S. Air Force, then as a reserve officer before retiring with the rank of Major.A man of faith, Stephens was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Richmond, KY.
Stephens served as band director at Eastern Kentucky University's Model Laboratory School in Richmond for 24 years. He devoted 32 summers to leadership at a Music-Arts-Dance-Drama church camp for teenagers, who affectionately knew him as "Big Al."
Music, theater, and Ham Radio were Stephens' passions. He was a member of the Kentucky Music Educators, played clarinet in the Central Kentucky Concert Band and Richmond Area Community Band, and was active in Rose Barn Theatre productions. He helped to begin the Classic Radio Exchange for the enjoyment of old tube-type radios and belonged to several Ham Radio Clubs. His call sign was N5AIT.