Charles "Doc" Stephens M.D.

MINNEOLA – Charles "Doc" Gordon Stephens, M.D., died Friday, September 26, 2025 at Minneola Long Term Care.

He was born October 9, 1933 in Ashburn, Missouri, the son of George Lewis and Helen Cleo (Williamson) Stephens. He attended Central College in McPherson, Kansas, where he met Javene Smith, whom he would later marry on April 17, 1954 in Dallas, Texas. He also attended Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois, and medical school at University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. He and his two older brothers were the first people from Ashburn to attend college. He served his internship at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas and began his medical practice in July of 1959 in Minneola. He retired in 2012 at the age of 79.

He was a member of the Minneola United Methodist Church where he was a Sunday School teacher and led an early morning men's prayer breakfast for many years. He would always have a prepared devotional to share with his family, especially on vacations. He had a love of scripture, and even learned to read the Bible on his Ipad in later years when his vision was failing him. His faith in Jesus Christ was paramount, even to the end. Upon his death bed he made it known that he wanted any memorial service to "focus on Jesus," not on him.

He was the consummate family doctor for over half a century, running a small hospital, responding to emergencies, being "on call" all the time, delivering babies, performing and reading x-rays, establishing clinics in 3 towns, recruiting and training young doctors, and getting a long term nursing home built, where he would spend his final days. He received many professional awards including Kansas Family Physician of the Year, and National Exemplary Teacher from the American Academy of Family Physicians. He was board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine throughout his career, and received added certification in Geriatric Medicine.

Doc fell in love with the Rocky Mountains early in his life, becoming a frequent visitor to Colorado, where he learned to ski and climb 14,000 foot peaks. He led many a mountain-climbing expedition or winter ski trip with folks from Minneola and medical students and family medicine residents who were on his "rural medicine" rotation.

Survivors include: his wife of 71 years, Javene; 4 sons, Marc (Janita), Westcliffe, Colorado, Lucas, Minneola, Tim (Lisa), Hyattville, Wyoming and Todd (Dawnita), Wichita; 18 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 2 older brothers, Gayle and Richard Stephens, and foster son, Lester Beenblossom.

Memorial service will be at 2:00 pm Saturday, November 1, 2025 at Minneola Methodist Church with Scott Tilley and Rev. Kip Ryherd officiating. Private family inurnment will be in Appleton Township Cemetery, Minneola. There will be no public viewing, cremation has taken place.

The family suggests memorials to World Impact, Greenville University's "Legacy Project" or Minneola Long Term Care, all in care of Minnis Mortuary, 1901 N. 14 th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801. Condolences may be sent to www.minnismortuary.net.