The Reverend Richard M. Stephens of Midlothian, Texas 91, passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 30, 2022.  He was born on November 11, 1930 in Coffeyville, Kansas to Ted and Gladys Stephens.  He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Joyce Darlene Spotts, his beloved wife, Gwendolyn, and his grandson, William Cody Stephens.  He is survived by his son Roger L. Stephens and wife, Blanche of Ovilla, Texas; his son Lee Stephens and wife, Kathy of Winterport, Maine; his daughter, Beverly Hanawalt and husband, Neil of Fort Collins, Colorado; six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.  Reverend Stephens, a lifelong member of the Assemblies of God, felt the call to ministry at the age of twelve.  He received his Exhorter's Permit to Preach at the age of seventeen from the Kansas District Council of the Assemblies of God.  He attended Southwestern Bible Institute of Waxahachie, Texas (now Southwestern Assemblies of God University) and was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1954 by the New Mexico District Council of the Assemblies of God.  He served his denomination as Evangelist and Pastor for over sixty years.  He held Pastorates in Hatch, New Mexico, Anthony, New Mexico, El Paso, Texas, Fort Collins, Colorado, and Derry, New Hampshire.  Upon his retirement from Senior Pastoral duties, he accepted the position of Pastor to the Senior Adults at the Oaks Fellowship in Red Oak, Texas.  He served in this capacity for eight years.  Along with his Pastoral duties during his sixty years in the ministry, he served as Youth Representative, Christian Education Director, Presbyter, International Alumni Director for Southwestern Assemblies of God University, Protestant Chaplain at La Tuna Federal Correction Facility, and on the Board of several Teen Challenge organizations.  He was also active in Parent Teacher's Associations and Booster Clubs at various schools which his children attended.  He waits now for the "Well done, thou good and faithful servant" from his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

A private memorial service will be held at Fort Collins, Colorado in the spring, followed by the interment of ashes.