J. D. Stephens

J.D. Stephens 82 Passed in Bolivar Monday morning January 19th

Services Saturday Jan 24th at 11:00 AM in the Stockton Christian church

with military Honors

Visitation Saturday at 10AM

In lieu of flowers Memorial to Stockton Christian Church Youth

John Daniel "JD" Stephens, 82, died Monday, January 19, 2026, at Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar, Missouri after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born January 10, 1944, at his parents' home near Stockton, Missouri to John D. "Jack" Stephens and Derralee E. (Fleeman) Stephens.

JD graduated from Stockton High School in 1961. After graduation he moved to Kansas City and began working for Hallmark. He later left Hallmark and began working for General Motors when he was nineteen years old.

He was drafted to serve in the United States Army for two years and was deployed to Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. He returned to Kansas City and went back to work for General Motors where he retired as General Superintendent from the General Motors Leeds Production and Assembly Plant in Kansas City, Missouri.

JD and Sherry were married in December of 1996 and made their home near Stockton, Missouri. They enjoyed 29 years together. JD soon became a close part of Sherry's family. Sherry's mother admitted that 'JD brought something different to our family' – but she thoroughly enjoyed bantering with JD and she cherished their banter, laughter, and the many good times they shared with the entire family.

He enjoyed preparing and facilitating the Sunday Morning Bible class at Stockton Christian Church, where he considered fellow members an extension of his family. JD loved to golf throughout his adult life and loved to 'bet a coke' on who might be closest to the pin.

He enjoyed debating his political views with anyone who would listen and participate. JD never met a stranger and always enjoyed starting a conversation with someone new. They would soon become a friend – or at the very least, familiar faces who appreciated his humor and ornery charm.

Known lovingly as 'Papa', JD loved taking his granddaughters on 'Ranger Rides' around the property near his home. He took great pride in keeping up their property at their residence and spent countless hours cutting and trimming trees, mowing, constructing a shelter house, a dock and a pond – where visitors could feed the fish and with a bit of luck, catch one.

JD is survived by his wife – Sherry Stephens, daughter Kim Sloter (Doug) of Kansas City; son Zach Lollar (Kayla) of Stockton and his granddaughters Lyla and Skylar Lollar. He is also survived by his sister Jean Felty (Donny) of Overland Park, Kansas a sister Linda Montgomery of Stockton, Missouri; brother Richard Stephens (Joy) of Gardner, Kansas and his daughters Kassandra and Erika along with countless nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Derralee Stephens, sister Donna Johnson, brother Jeff Stephens and sister Kathy Bowman.

Services will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at the Stockton Christian Church. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. followed by services at 11 a.m. with Military Honors presented.

Private burial services will be held on a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are appreciated for the Stockton Christian Church Youth Group.

Until we meet again - "Remember to keep your tailgate up and your powder dry"!