Walking On - Gerauld Blake Stephens Jr.

Gerauld Blake Stephens Jr.

April 28, 1959 – Oct. 23, 2015

Tribal Elder Gerauld “Jerry” Blake Stephens Jr., 56, was born on April 28, 1959, in Everett, Wash. He walked on on Friday, Oct. 23, 2015, at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, Wash. His wife and mother-in-law were by his side.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 20 years, Connie Stephens; four sons, Christopher Stephens of McRae, Ark., Robert Carter of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Ben Barnhill of Kettle Falls, Wash., and Russell Barnhill of Colville, Wash.; three daughters, Felicia Stephens of Pullman, Wash., Nicole Stephens of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Jenica Stephens of Spokane, Wash.; his father, Gerauld Sr. (wife Darlene) of Livingston, Mont.; six brothers, Dana (wife Gloria) of Odessa, Wash., Fabian (wife Leah) of Hoodsport, Wash., Chris (wife Bert) of Moses Lake, Wash., Tony (wife Tammy) of Moses Lake, Wash., Vallant of Las Vegas, Nev., and Danti of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; sisters, Kim Kirkman and Diana Leland of Moses Lake, Wash.; numerous nieces and nephews and 21 grandchildren.

Jerry was preceded in death by his mother, Peggylee Chillson; nephew, Dwaine Kultgen; and his beloved dog, Baby.

Jerry served in the Army National Guard for two years as a mechanic. He then worked for many years as a transmission man. He was always wheeling and dealing in cars. He also worked as a bartender, cook, metal scrapper and logger; whatever it took to make money to support his family. He started his own auto repair shop with his sons, Chris and Robert, in Moses Lake while attending college for welding and fabricating. He enjoyed working with his sons. Sadly, the onset of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease meant shutting down the business, but not his life.

Jerry took the opportunity to spend as much time as possible with family, going on fishing trips with his brothers and camping with kids and grandkids. He enjoyed camping, boating and nature hikes with his dogs and family. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren. He loved to hunt and always put meat in the family freezer. He was a bird and wildlife watcher and usually had some sort of feeder out year-round.

A celebration of life was held on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Eagles Lodge, 1517 W. Broadway, in Moses Lake, Wash. Children were required.

Thanks to McComb and Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory for their service and helping the family through a difficult process.