John L. Stephens

June 10, 1937 - November 27, 2018

John Leonard Stephens, age 81, a resident of Columbia, TN, passed away on Tuesday, November 27th, 2018 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 9th at 3:00pm at St. Peter's Episcopal Church with Father Chris Bowhay officiating. Visitation with the family will precede the service at 1:00pm. He will be laid to rest in St. John's Church, Ashwood. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Born on June 10, 1937 to Leonard and Hazel Stephens, John “Butch” spent his childhood in the Nashville area, and graduated from West End High School in 1955. A highlight of his high school experience was being a member of the ‘54 State Championship basketball team. John earned a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Tennessee in 1959. He earned an M.B.A. from Northeast Louisiana University in 1969.

John’s career began in 1959 in Muscle Shoals, AL at Reynolds Metal Company, where he met a summer intern named Jane Virtue. They were married in September of 1963, a union that lasted more than 53 years. Together they raised three children; Amy, Jennifer and Eric. They spent 18 years in Monroe, LA where John was elevated to VP of Johns-Manville Forest Products. In 1984, he was named President of Michigan Carton Company in Battle Creek, MI. After two Michigan winters, John and Jane moved to Columbia, TN. John was an owner of Columbia Plastics Company for 10 years. After retiring, he became involved with the Boys and Girls Club of Maury County and served as Executive Director for eight years. In addition to his professional work, John served on the boards of the Workforce Development of South Central Tennessee, the Mediation Center, Sigma Phi Epsilon Tennessee Alpha Scholarship Foundation and Housing Corporation, and the Tennessee Senior Olympics. He was a past Chairman of the Board of the Columbia State Community College Foundation, Vice-Chairman of the Board for Columbia Power and Water Systems, and Chairman of the Maury County Chamber of Commerce. In recent years, John volunteered with the Heimermann Children's Choir to raise awareness and recruit singers in Maury County. He was also an active member of the Kiwanis Club and a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.

John was an enthusiastic UT sports fan and remained close to his Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity brothers throughout his life. An avid reader of nonfiction, John considered himself an amateur historian of US Presidents. He was a lifelong athlete, still playing tennis at age 80. He was fond of older homes, antiques and vintage Mustangs. John will be remembered as a beloved father and husband, and a good friend to many.

John is survived by his children; Amy Stephens of Nashville, TN, Jennifer (Bert) della Gatta of Belmont, CA, and Eric Stephens of New York City, NY; brother Wendell (Pam) Stephens of Cupertino, CA; sister: Jane Stephens Smith of Brentwood, TN; grandsons: John Sebastian, Griffin Beck della Gatta; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife: Jane Virtue Stephens on April 22, 2017; brother: Edward Stephens, and sisters: Julia Stephens Hewgley and Barbara Stephens Timm.

If so moved, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Maury County, ​210 W. 8​​ Street, Columbia, TN 38401.