Our beloved husband and father, Harry Louis Stephens, 82, passed away suddenly on Sunday, April 21, 2024, leaving us lost and heartbroken. He was born in Orange, Texas, on October 14, 1941, to Louis Malcolm and Marion Velma Stephens. He had a very modest upbringing with few opportunities; but with grit, determination, and perseverance, he rose above great hardship to become a man who was larger than life and a hero to us all.
At 17, he joined the United States Marine Corps, serving a tour of duty for his Country, missing the birth of his first child. After returning home, Harry opened Harry’s Appliance in downtown Orange where he remained faithful to his customers and this community for 61 years, all with just an 8th grade education. And as his family, we say with pride, he was honest, hardworking, and dedicated until his last day.
In 1992 he married Margie Redding Stephens and became immensely blessed with another daughter to add to his family. Harry and Margie were inseparable all the years of their marriage and shared a special bond until the end. As he began to struggle with health issues, Margie never left his side and made sure he had the best doctors and followed their orders. She did her best to keep him in line, although he was known to keep a few “snacks” hidden under his desk phone that he could grab when she wasn’t looking.
Harry had many hobbies throughout his life that included roller skating; many years bowling on leagues; playing “Booray” with all the boys at the Domino Club in downtown Orange; riding motorcycles; restoring old cars andparticipating in the local car club, showing his pride and joy, his red and white ’56 Chevy; fishing with Margie; as well as a little fun over at the casino. He also cherished Dairy Queen nights on Thursdays with his family; and occasionally, on a bright sunny day, you could still find him driving around in his yellow SSR with the top down.
Harry was preceded in death by his parents, his grandson, Corbin Burnett; his brother, Ronnie Stephens; and his sister, Marilyn Ann Rowe, who took on the role of a mother to him.
He is survived by his wife, Margie; his children, Desia Davis and husband, Carl; Gary Stephens; Cristy Burnett Smith and husband, Phillip; and Stephanie Duval and husband, Lucas; along with his grandchildren, Derrick (Rebecca) Davis, Cody Davis (Sharon), Michael (Melissa) Stephens, Brittany Stephens, Colby (Rhea) Burnett; Bailee (Jake) Burnett Maresh; Jaycelyn Duval; and Keegan Duval; along with his great-grandchildren, Olivia Davis, Elliott Davis, Holden Davis, Brayden Stephens, Sonora Burnett, and Remi Burnett; as well as numerous family and friends that affectionately called him Uncle Harry or PawPaw.
Harry never made apologies for who he was. He believed in shopping locally; and if you bought an appliance from one of the big box stores that came to Orange, well, that’s where he would tell you to take it for repair. But if you did trust him with your business, he was faithful and went the extra mile to take care of you. Even when Hurricane Ike flooded his home and business, you could still find him at work taking care of his customers instead of himself. He worked hard every day of his life and had a work ethic that is rare today. In his daily life, he was surrounded by his customers who were like family to him. Our family would like to say thank you for trusting and supporting him through the years with your appliance needs and for being so faithful. Harry’s Appliance will continue in honor of our beloved husband and daddy. We want to make him proud.
Visitation will be Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 12:00 p.m., at Claybar Funeral Home in downtown Orange. The funeral will follow at 2:00 p.m., the same day, and he will be laid to rest immediately after at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens on Highway 87 between Orange and Bridge City.
Pallbearers will be Carl Davis, Phillip Smith, Lucas Duval, Keegan Duval, Jack Hansen, Buddy Tucker, Derrick Davis, and Michael Ragusa. Honorary Pallbearers are his employees, Gerard Arrington and Raul “Leto” Valencia.