Raymond (Ray) Harold Stephens, Jr.

Raymond H. Stephens, Jr. passed away Thursday, December 29, 2005, in Fulshear, Texas.  He was born September 5, 1946 in Atlanta, Georgia, the son of Raymond H. Stephens, Sr. and Mell Stephens.  Ray grew up in Albany and Tucker, Georgia, graduating from Tucker High School, where he was an outstanding athlete.  His athletic accomplishments included playing in the state championship football game, and in the Georgia high school All-Star game his senior season.  He was also named All-State that year.  Upon graduation from high school, Ray went on to The University of Alabama to play football for Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, and then transferred to Troy State University in Troy Alabama on a football scholarship.  He graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business, and an English Literature minor. Ray joined The Dow Chemical Company after graduation, where he worked for nearly 30 years in various sales, marketing and commercial positions.  His roles included Salesman, Marketing Trainer, Product Sales Manager, District Sales Manager; Marketing Manager, Account Executive and Sr. Commercial Manager for Dow's North American and Latin American businesses.  He worked in several locations during his career including twice each in Detroit and Midland, MI, Baton Rouge, LA, St. Louis, MO Chicago, IL, Coral Gables, FL and Houston, TX.  During his professional career, he was a member of several industry associations.  He did management consulting work after retiring from Dow. Ray enjoyed all outdoor activities, particularly fishing, hunting, golf, and his cottage on Lake Charlevoix, Michigan.  During his career he had the opportunity to play golf with several notable golf professionals.  Fishing was a life-long passion, and Ray enjoyed any pportunity to go out with friends, business colleagues, and especially family.  Ray was an avid reader, antique collector, and he loved music.  Ray was a member of the Weston Lakes Rod and Gun Club and Sr. Men's Golf Association.  He served on various committees with the Weston Lakes Property Owners' Association.  Ray also enjoyed traveling extensively both personally and professionally throughout North and South America, Europe and Australia. Ray married Deborah K. Haines of Ann Arbor, Michigan on March 28, 1987.  Married for over 18 years, and residents of Fulshear, Texas for almost 16 years, Debbie shares many of the same interests as Ray. Ray was preceded in death by both parents, and Debbie's and his infant son Michael Ryan Stephens.  In addition to his beloved wife Debbie, he is survived by his daughter Lanie Stephens (Frank van de Loo) of Canberra, ACT, Australia; his son Raymond Taz Stephens (Patty) of Aurora, Illinois, and two granddaughters, Kirsten and Rachel Stephens of Aurora, all of whom he was very proud.  Also surviving are two sisters Dana (Jesse) Quick, and Cherie (Greg) Wilkes; two brothers Chick (Debbie) Stephens, and Chris (Elise) Stephens; mother-in-law Marion Haines; and two sisters-in-law Barbara Jaquith and Kathryn Welch; an uncle, and many aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins; and by his much-loved dog Chester. Funeral services were held January 5, 2006 in Decatur, Georgia, followed by interment at Floral Hills Memory Gardens in Tucker, Georgia.  In his memory, contributions may be made to the Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Houston SPCA), or to the Shriners Hospitals for Children headquartered in Tampa, Florida.