John G. Stephens Jr.

1925 - 05

John G. Stephens Jr., 90, of New Kensington, passed away peacefully Friday, May 15, 2015. He was born May 9, 1925, in Tarentum, to the late John G. Sr. and Ethel Mars Stephens, and was a 1943 graduate of Ken-Hi, entering St Mary's flight training in the Navy during World War II, after high school. He received a Bachelor of Science in music education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Science from Penn State, and did post-graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh. Mr. Stephens was assistant superintendent of schools for the New Kensington-Arnold School District, retiring in 1983. He was also the federal programs coordinator for the school district, band director at Ken-Hi and played with a number of bands, including Artie Arnell, Vic DeSanto, Buddy Lee, Johnny Murphy, Art DeSimone and Barry Blue. He was a member and choir director of the United Presbyterian Church, president of the New Kensington Rotary Club and was on the board of trustees of the Hill Crest Country Club and the Citizens General Hospital and the YMCA, and president of Westmoreland County Easter Seal Society. He also was a 60-year member of Tyrian Lodge Free and Accepted Masons, the Dennis A. Reeser Royal Arch Chapter, the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Valley of Pittsburgh and was a band director for 16 years, and later Potentate (1982) of Syria Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Cheswick, and belonged to New Kensington Local 630 American Federation of Musicians and Pittsburgh Local 60-471 Musicians Union. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, John G. Stephens III (2004); a brother, Roger Stephens; and a sister, Ethel Adamsky. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lucille Wright Stephens; son, William W. Stephens and his wife, Carolyn, of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; and grandchildren, Ashley, Seth, Mark and Amy; and daughter-in-law, Sherri Stephens. Viewing will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in ROSS G. WALKER FUNERAL HOME LTD., 217 Freeport Road, New Kensington, where a service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Military honors accorded by the Vandergrift Veterans Honor Guard will follow the service. Private entombment will be in Greenwood Memorial Park, Lower Burrell. Tyrian Lodge Free and Accepted Masons will assemble at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the funeral home to hold Masonic services for their late member. To leave an online condolence, visit www.rossgwalker.com.