Samuel Lehi Stephens, Jr. July 16, 1928 ~ April 27, 2018 “Together Again” On Friday, April 27, 2018, a beautiful spring day, Samuel Lehi Stephens, Jr. passed away from this life and was finally reunited with his sweetheart, Maryloo, and his dear parents and many loved ones. Sam was born on July 16, 1928 in the Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah to goodly parents, Asenath Ann Porter and Samuel Lehi Stephens, Sr He was the youngest of nine children and his mother’s joy.
At a young age, Sam developed a passion for photography. When he was only twelve years old, he built and operated a dark room in the basement of his home, and several of the local drug stores hired him to develop and print their customers’ film. He was the school photographer at Ogden High School, graduating in 1946, and he later owned his own portrait studio.
He carried a camera with him practically everywhere he went. Sam also had a love for radio broadcasting. He had the most beautiful broadcasting voice!
As a high school student, he and two fellow students wrote and produced a weekly radio program titled, “Vivacious Vicki,” which was broadcast on KLO live from his home studio. While in college, Sam and his father built and operated KBUH radio in Brigham City. Over the years, he also worked for KOET-TV and KVOG, and spent many years at KLO radio.
Sam often joked about working for CBS (Celestial Broadcasting System) once he reached the next life. He is undoubtedly doing just that, and filling the heavenly airwaves with 40’s Big Band music. Simultaneously, Sam worked for the Ogden City School District as their audiovisual technician, retiring from the schools after 26 years.
Sam could repair ANYTHING, from cars to televisions to refrigerators and everything in-between. He was an incredibly skilled technician. In 1947, at the age of 19, Sam met the love of his life, Maryloo Roberts, when they co-narrated the Ogden 5th Ward’s Christmas program.
A beautiful courtship began, they fell in love, and they were sealed for time and all eternity in the LDS Salt Lake Temple on August 17, 1949. Together, they lovingly raised five children. Sam and Maryloo lived the perfect love story for 67 years until her passing in 2016.
For the past 16 months, Sam has missed his beloved wife deeply. Their joyous reunion in Heaven is something to imagine! Sam was a lifelong and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he had an unwavering testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
He was a High Priest in the Ogden Eccles Park Ward. Sam was the last surviving grandchild of Daniel Monroe Stephens who came to Utah in 1851 after crossing the plains from Nauvoo, and he was the third great-grandchild of Jonathan Browning, the gun-maker. Sam is survived by his five children: Kerry (Melanie) Stephens, Brian (Lisa) Stephens, Layne Stephens, Drew (Jann) Stephens, and Maryanne (John) VanDenBerghe; 18 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, siblings, and his granddaughter, Alexandra VanDenBerghe. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Eccles Park Ward Chapel, 1029 26th Street, Ogden. Friends may visit with family on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd, Ogden, and on Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.
Interment, Ogden City Cemetery. Sam’s family would like to extend their deepest, heart-felt gratitude to the amazing caregivers at Comfort Worx Hospice, especially to Jenn, Jenna, Nicole, and Heidi for their loving and tender care of their dad over the past year. Sam loves each of them dearly!
A special thank you to the Eccles Park Ward for their years of Christlike service and care of Sam and Maryloo.
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