David W Stephenson

David Wayne Stephenson was born in Eagle Rock, California on November 11, 1946, to Richard and Doris Stephenson. Throughout his life he bought and sold, built and rebuilt hot rods to drag race. He graduated from Eagle Rock High School and was immediately drafted into the Army, where he served 2 tours in Vietnam in the motor pool as a mechanic. Upon his discharge from the Army, David worked for the City of Los Angles. He initially worked for the Department of Water and Power as an operator, but later transferred to the Street Maintenance Department, where he ultimately became a Supervisor. He worked for the City for a total of 32 years, and retired in 1998. David married Kathleen Jeffress in 1968, and they had 3 children. They divorced in 1996. He later married his long-time friend, Susan Stephenson. After his retirement in 1998, David and Susan sold all their real estate and traveled full time in an RV all over the United States, until 2004. They bought a small condo in Las Vegas where they "wintered," but still traveled in their motorhome from April through October until 2009. David and Susan had 3 goals while full-time RVing: visit all the National Parks, see a game at every major league baseball stadium, and find the perfect place to live out their retirement once they went off the road. They landed on the Oregon Coast and never left. David loved all sports, especially football and baseball. He was a devoted Los Angeles Dodgers fan, and it was one of the highlights of his life when his team won the World Series in 1988 and 2020. He was an avid fan of drag racing, and especially enjoyed attending drag races in Woodburn where he supported some of the local local competitors there. He also loved to play cards and board games. He was a regular at the weekly Waldport Pinochle group, and other small card playing groups. He loved to travel in retirement, especially cruising. He counted as the "trip of his lifetime" the 6 weeks he spent in Australia and New Zealand in 2017. Above all, David was a family man, and his best times were spent with his children and grandchildren. David died on June 17, 2021, with his wife, children and grandchildren by his side. David is survived by his wife, Susan Stephenson, his 3 children, Michael, Joy and Gary Stephenson of California, 2 stepsons, Michael McDermott of Texas and Scott McDermott of Louisiana, and 10 grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Roger Stephenson of Nevada and 2 sisters, Patti Shepherd and Liz Eskola, both In California, 3 nieces/nephews, and many friends. A memorial service to celebrate David's life is planned for July 31 at 1:00 pm at the Waldport Senior Center. A second memorial service will be held in Southern California sometime in the Fall of 2021.

Tributes

David W Stephenson

November 11, 1946 - June 17, 2021