Tom "Tomcatt" Stephens

1953 - 2024

Tom "Tomcatt" Stephens loved entering sweepstakes contests, scavenging estate sales, streaming "eagle cams," driving his Miata on winding roads, enjoying his favorite Silver Queen corn with "maters," and watching an odd variety of television shows; but music of all genres was his true passion and legacy to our community.

Upon hearing of Tomcatt's passing at age 71, friends, family and long-time customers of his record store, Discotech in Southaven, shared many memories of his kindness, guidance and passion for music. Tomcatt purchased Discotech in 2003 so several young people who were in grade school and high school in those early days shared how he had influenced their lives.

Shara Clark, Editor-in-Chief of the Memphis Flyer, wrote "I hope he knew how much of an impact he and that cool little shop have had on so many people." One former employee suggested having a Miata parade in his honor, two others called Tomcatt the "best boss ever," and several of his long-term and senior customers are missing their almost-daily visits with him.

Thomas Charles Stephens was born in San Bernardino, CA on July 10, 1953, and moved with his family for service at U. S. Air Force bases in Chambley, France, and Ramstein, Germany, then to Gainesville, FL, Montgomery, AL, and Dayton, OH, until his father's retirement from the U. S. Air Force when the family moved to Lebanon, TN in 1967.

He spent his adult years in Memphis until he died on July 28, 2024. Graduating from Castle Heights Military Academy Class of 1971 and Middle Tennessee State University, Tomcatt worked in the music industry in many capacities in Memphis, Nashville and the Mid-South region before becoming the store owner of Discotech. After being laid off from a corporate music company in mid-1999, Tomcatt went back to school and worked a variety of jobs that included mystery shopping, department store merchandising, sales at Tower Records, front desk and wait staff for a senior facility, and certification of stores for the electronic benefit transfer program. He made the decision in 2002 that he didn't want to work for "the man" anymore and thus Discotech was born.

Tom was predeceased by his father and mother, John Edd and Nedra Brender Stephens. He leaves his wife, Maggie Conway of Memphis; brother Lonnie (Peggy) Stephens of Lafayette, TN; sister Charnell (Bruce) Johnson of Lebanon, TN; nephews Trenton Stephens of Niwot, CO, Heath (Kortney Szych and Asher) and Luke Johnson of Lebanon; nieces Aubrey Johnson Gallant (Blake) of Rossville, GA, and Mallory Johnson (Turner Jones) of Nashville, TN; a stepson, Wesley (Amber) Todd of Ponchatoula, LA; along with a host of Maggie's family members who mourn his loss.

A "Celebration of Everlasting Life" to honor Tomcatt's memory will be held on Sunday, October 27, 2024, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Memphis Brooks Museum of Art in Overton Park.

A brief service at 2:15 p.m. will kick off the commemorative festivities. His ashes will be interred at Calvary Cemetery the following day.

Tom loved St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the Overton Park Shell, WEVL FM-89.9 Memphis, and WKNO Channel 10 Memphis.

In lieu of flowers, your memorial donation to any of these organizations or your own favorite one would be most appreciated.