Albert 'Steve' Stephens Jr.

Albert Stephens 1927 - 2021 Sadly, the Stephens Family announces the passing of their beloved Albert "Steve" "Junior" Stephens, age 93, of Las Cruces, New Mexico on June 10, 2021. Mr. Stephens was born on September 16, 1927, in Greenwood, Louisiana, to Albertus "Mike" and Lemmer Lee Stephens. Steve decided to move to Shreveport, Louisiana on his own at the age of sixteen to secure a better education. He was supposed to live with people who promised to provide him housing and food in exchange for his houseman services until he completed high school. However, when he arrived, he found that his living quarters was a closet and the food provided was often not fit for animals. Rather than turn back, he assured his family that he could make it. He found new quarters in a rooming house, went to school during the day, and worked nights to support himself. He persevered the hardship and graduated high school with very high grades. This experience would shape Steve's values and his life forever. After completing high school, Steve decided to join the military instead of going to college because the military provided an immediate steady source of income. He enlisted in the United States Army in Little Rock, Arkansas in January of 1946. He was initially assigned as a clerk in a hospital medical ward but quickly qualified for and trained to serve in the Army Medical Corps as a paramedic. He worked hard, learned from others, and studied his Merck Manual religiously to perfect his craft. Steve thrived in the military. He advanced his Army stature and financial standing, and quickly turned his sights on raising the standard of living for his mother. He sent her 75% of his take-home pay to enable her to purchase a home for herself and to build rental properties for extra income. He would ultimately amass a portfolio of real estate that helped him provide for his family through the years. In 1952 Steve was assigned to the William Beaumont Army Medical Center at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas. If Steve thought his life of traveling and building a small real estate portfolio was exciting, he had no idea what would hit him when he met Allene Baker. They met at a small, party she hosted in her parent's home for some of her friends. Steve was handsome, financially comfortable, and thought Allene was the prettiest girl he had ever seen. Allene was erudite, confident, and since she made her own clothes, was stylishly put together. The two soon fell deeply in love. There was only one problem: Steve knew the only way to bring his fairytale to life was to receive permission to marry Allene from her protective, irascible father, Fred Baker, Sr. Instead of being run off, Allene's father took a great liking to Steve and gave his permission for Steve to take Allene as his bride. Steve and Fred Baker, Sr. would remain very close for the remainder of Fred's life. They supported each other as father and son. They enjoyed hours of discussions on their love of family, the politics of the day, investment ideas, life philosophies, and the Lord. Before Steve and Allene could marry the Army assigned Steve to the U.S. Airbase in Misawa, Japan, and then to Fort Hood Army Base in Killeen, Texas. Steve and Allene found a window in his busy military schedule and married in January 1952. Steve was later ordered to White Sands Missile Range in White Sands, New Mexico. And, in 1960 the Army assigned him to their hospital in Karlsruhe, Germany. He loved raising his family in Germany, where he and Allene would make life-long friends and enjoy living the German culture. Though his job was very demanding, Steve made it a priority to spend quality time with his young family. He loved German customs, like helping his three small children place their shoes outside the front door of their apartment on Christmas Eve so Saint Nicholas could come by and drop candy treats into their small shoes. He also loved taking his family on Sunday afternoon drives to pick wild apples in the countryside, hosting pinochle parties for their friends, and taking Allene to social events at the Army base. In 1963, they returned to the United States with their red German Volkswagen Bug filled with kids. He was again stationed at White Sands Missile Range, and he joined Allene as a member at Bethel Second Baptist Church where later he loved singing in the choir and serving as a layman. He remained a devoted member until his passing. Sergeant First Class Stephens' industrious, entrepreneurial spirit continued to blossom in the military. Because he owned a car, he drove GI's back and forth between WSMR and Ft Bliss - for a price - each weekend and, as a result, more than doubled his monthly pay to supplement his income for his growing family. Sergeant Stephens worked as a paramedic until 1967 when he retired from the Army after twenty-one proud years of service. Even after he retired from the military, he would stop whatever he was doing -- even pull his car over on the side of the road and get out -- and stand at attention in full salute whenever he saw a U.S. flag during reveille or retreat. Upon retirement from the Army, Steve took his investing interests to the next level. He had the foresight to see the value of owning a liquor license in New Mexico, where the State issued limited numbers. He bought the Frontier Club and its liquor license in Vado, New Mexico in 1966. Steve was known for operating a business that respectfully served all his customers -- from the wealthy farmers and ranchers who owned vast swaths of land in the Mesilla Valley to the migrant workers who worked the farms and ranches. He assured that his employees were paid a living wage even before the laws required it. He was charitable to anyone who came to him in their time of need and never worried nor complained if the loans he made were never repaid. When one of his children once asked him, "Daddy, what if they don't pay you back?" he replied, "I don't worry about that. We have enough." Steve operated The Frontier Club and continued his real estate investing until he retired for good at the age of 80 in 2007. Mr. Stephens was a devoted husband, father, son, son-in-law, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He and his wife Allene lived a life of love, family, work, service, and worship. His career in the U.S. Army Medical Corps as a paramedic inspired three of his children to work in medical fields. He set high standards for his children, making certain that each received a college education at the school of their choice, even when it meant using his real estate holdings to help finance their educations. He especially enjoyed road trips with Allene, playing football with his kids, and challenging them in sprint races in the backyard (which he always won). He called all his daughters "Baby," and they all answered "Yes, Daddy" in unison whenever he called. He called one of his sons "Hoss" because of their mutual love of the Sunday evening Westerns they watched on television. He read three newspapers a day until his eyesight and stamina made it possible for him only to read one. He was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys and loved fried catfish and greens. He never forgot how it felt to live in a closet without enough food to eat. He fed anyone he came upon who was hungry and treated those in need with kindness, dignity, and respect. Mr. Stephens is preceded in death by his loving wife, Allene, his parents, his baby sister Bernice, brothers John Stephens, Payton Stephens, Joseph Stephens, grandson Armando Quinones, and nephew Donald Baker. He is survived by son Mike Cooper and wife Jane of Tucson, Arizona, daughter Freddie Stephens of El Paso, Texas, daughter Myrtle Potter and husband Alan Thompson of Atlanta, Georgia, son Brent Stephens and wife Dedra of Las Cruces, daughter Glynnis Davis and husband Cedric of Los Angeles, California, daughter Leah Chicago and husband Alphonse (Ace) of Charleston, South Carolina, daughter Tina Stephens of Grand Prairie, Texas, brothers James Stephens and Darryl Stephens, grandchildren Jamison Potter, Lauren Potter, Jillah Moede, Jannah Moede, Thomas Baca, Zion Stephens, Moriah Stephens, Juanita Chairez, and Karina Quinones, nephew Fred Baker, III of Sacramento, California, niece Sharron Watts of Sacramento, California, nephews Michael Stephens and Hugh Stephens of Washington State, cousins Isaac Brown, Clyde Adams, Jr., Alice Faye Williams and Ira Arlene Henderson, lead caregiver Pamela Marta, and a host of other nephews, nieces, grandnieces and grandnephews. He also leaves many other cherished family members, friends, and former business and community colleagues. Mr. Stephens was a brilliant, industrious, compassionate, Black patriot who inspired everyone who knew him and loved his community. We honor him and thank him for all the lessons and values he instilled in us. He will be with us always. The Stephens family extends our sincere appreciation to the loving caregivers who supported our family to care for Mr. Stephens at home through the years. Their dedicated service allowed us to chart a path for him to age gracefully and with dignity at home with those who loved him. We are forever grateful for their love, professionalism, and enduring compassion. In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to honor Mr. Stephens is asked to donate in his name to a charity of your choice to continue his legacy of feeding and housing those who are hungry and in need. A public viewing will be held at Getz Funeral Home in Las Cruces on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm. A private family service, and interment will be held later to honor and celebrate the life of Mr. Stephens. He will be laid to rest with full military honors at Fort Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso, Texas. Please visit www.getzcares.com to sign the local online guest book.