Steve Stephenson

Steve Stephenson – Cowboy, Rancher and One Tough Son of a Gun

Sports enthusiast and world traveler Steve Stephenson was known to his family, friends, and loved ones as someone of integrity who could always make everyone laugh with his humorous remarks and dedication to family duties as son, husband, and father.

Stephenson’s case against Madge Oberholtzer, Indiana’s director of an adult literacy program, represented a serious blow against their image as upholders of morality.

Early Life and Education

Steve Stephenson was a cowboy, rancher and an all-around hard man. Born and raised on a family farm in Vanderpool, Steve spent his childhood riding horses and working cattle; later participating in FFA National band activities and attending Groom High School before going on to West Texas State University.

He pursued local girl Nettie Hamilton and had her portrayed as the most beautiful girl in Oklahoma. Additionally, he was an avid reader who studied Socialist Party leader Oscar Ameringer extensively.

As soon as he graduated high school, he joined the Navy. After attending boot camp at Great Lakes and becoming an aviation electrician, he later served on USS Forrestal where he earned several medals, including a Bronze Star award.

Professional Career

Stephenson was an esteemed public interest lawyer, founder of Equal Justice Initiative. His extensive legal work included challenging excessive and unfair sentencing practices, exonerating innocent death row prisoners, as well as countering abuse towards both prisoners and mentally ill patients.

He served as a Fulbright scholar to Himachal Pradesh University in India and Hanoi National University of Education in Vietnam, in addition to serving as visiting lecturer at University of Louisville and research professor at University of Virginia.

Before becoming the coach for Schwabisch Hall Unicorns of the German Football League, he served as head football strength and conditioning coach at PVAMU. He has worked with Olympic-trained athletes as well as athletes from multiple sports. Furthermore, he played two seasons of NBA Developmental League. A native of Los Angeles.

Achievement and Honors

Steve Stephenson, research professor at the University of Arkansas and expert on myxomycetes (slime molds), studied them across all seven continents and every major terrestrial ecosystem type imaginable, leading him to publish 12 books and over 450 chapters or papers in peer-reviewed journals.

He was awarded a Fulbright Specialist award, which allows him to travel abroad and teach short classes at postsecondary educational institutions for short durations. Stephenson traveled to Shoolini University in India as part of this award in September.

He was also an active member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, proudly displaying his great-grandfather’s sword which belonged to him. With an affinity for history, genealogy and fantasy literature; his passion was history.

Personal Life

Steve enjoyed enjoying life’s simple pleasures – such as enjoying a good steak and salad with cold beer or wine. An avid fisherman on both the Stariski and Ninilchik Rivers in Alaska as well as throughout North America, he was also an accomplished marksman and trapper.

In his last years of life, he moved to Arizona, enjoying the southwestern lifestyle and spending much of his time working on his home. Additionally, he had a keen interest in antiques as well as being an avid reader with favorites including JRR Tolkien as his authors of choice.

Steve Stephenson is survived by his daughter Dorothy of Glenwood, sons Terry and Stanley Stephenson and their spouses in Midland and Big Spring Texas respectively, grandaughter Vonda with her husband from Duncan Oklahoma as well as five grandchildren – also survived by a sister as well as various nieces and nephews.

Net Worth

Steve Stephenson amassed his wealth through his musical career, playing guitar for artists like Michael Jackson and Billy Idol as well as releasing solo albums such as Flamenco A Go-Go and Atomic Playboys.

His charitable efforts included advocating for equal rights and supporting Black cricketers and footballers in the UK. As such, he became a lifetime member of the Marcus Garvey Society as well as an extremely proud grandfather.

Unbeaten Innings provides Steve with the chance to reflect upon key moments from his life and career, such as when Haile Selassie visited Jamaica on a rainy April day in 1966 or his cultural awakening from reading Enoch Powell’s Rivers of Blood speech; additionally he discusses his local government involvement as a social worker and equality activist; finally he shares some stories from Steve himself who valued education and intellect highly.

Steve Stephenson
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