James Marion ‘J.M.’ Stephenson, Lubbock Texas
- Age: 70, Passed Away: May 20, 2012
- Eugene Alexander Malasics, 91
- Jewell V. Lovelady, 89
- Michael Edward Lacefield, 63
- Carol J. Drake, 71
- Helen L. Brandt, 71
- Mary Joan Perisho, 89
- Robert E. “Bob” Neat, 89
- James O. Keeton Jr., 53
- Robert K. “Bob” Brown, 83
- Larry Allen Belton, 59
- James O. Back, 64
- Gordon Lambert Rogers, 84
- Mary Joan Perisho, 89
- Jeanne C. Brodbeck, 84
- Kenneth B. Taylor, 75
- Stephen L. Sewell, 71
- Luke William Sappenfield,
- Florence Nettie Root-Gioe, 92
- Shirley Mitchell, 82
- John Joseph Hessman,
- Terri Giles, 57
- Joseph O. Boner, 83
- Jerry Lee Anderson, 73
- James William "Jim" Adams, 70
- Luke William Sappenfield, Infant
 James Marion ‘J.M.’ Stephenson |
James Marion “J.M.” Stephenson was born Sept. 2, 1941, and died Sunday, May 20, 2012.
He was born in Glasgow, Ky., to Jesse Caldwell Stephenson and Mary Emily (Bernard) Stephenson.
J.M. was the loving husband of Brenda Sue (Ballenger), and they were blessed with four children, Marion Scott, Dana Parrish, Jamie Paige Loyd and James Matthew. He was grandfather to 11 grandchildren, Brittney, Jacob, Emily, Collin, Elyce, Cash, Nicholas, Lane, Candace and AJ. J.M. also is survived by his brother, Dr. Harry C. Stephenson of Louisville, Ky.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Mary Nell Smith and Elizabeth “Jean” Smith; and his granddaughter, Ella Stephenson.
J.M. grew up on his family farm in Jamestown, Ky. After high school J.M. attended Western Kentucky University. J.M. returned to farming the family farm, where he raised Black Angus cattle and grew tobacco. J.M. was a farming innovator, building one of the earliest no-till planting machines.
As J.M.’s family grew, he left Kentucky and moved to Franklin. While living in Franklin, he was a real estate broker and a prolific home builder. He enjoyed playing poker with his buddies and hanging out at the coffee shop.
Later in life J.M. moved to Lubbock, Texas, where he was the proprietor of Jake’s Sports Café, home of the “coldest beer in Lubbock.” Ever the entrepreneur, he also operated the Lone Star Amphitheater, drawing multiple national music acts to Lubbock.
J.M. enjoyed driving his Corvettes, watching the horses run, making great popcorn, helping all of his children and loving his wife, Brenda Sue. They were looking forward to celebrating their Golden Jubilee 50th anniversary Aug. 6.
He will be greatly missed by all his friends and family.
Family and friends gathered for fellowship Wednesday at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers, 6025 82nd St., Lubbock, Texas. A service to celebrate his life will be at 10 a.m. today at Lake Ridge Chapel.
A tribute of J. M. may be found at www.memorialdesigners.net, where you may leave memories and expressions of sympathy for his family.
