Roll Call Tribute
Maurice Stephens '50 October 25, 2016 8:17 AM updated: October 25, 2016 8:24 AM
Published in GoSanAngelo on Oct. 25, 2016
Maurice Wayne Stephens
Maurice Wayne Stephens
Eden
Wayne "Cowboy" Stephens, 86, of Eden, went to be with the Lord on Monday, Oct. 24, 2016. Service is at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016, at Eden Funeral Home chapel. Burial will follow in Eden Cemetery.
Cowboy was born in Brady, Texas, on Jan. 22, 1930, to Alice Amelia (Abernathy) and Jess Manley Stephens. Cowboy got his nickname while his mother was pregnant with him. She was hooked through the stomach by a cow and after being rushed to Brady Hospital, Alice's unborn son was given the name Cowboy by the nurses, and it stuck. Most people only know him by the name Cowboy to this day.
He married the love of his life and soul-mate, Bonnie Jo (Green) on her birthday, Nov. 26, 1949. They were inseparable until her death on Jan. 16, 2016, after being married for 66 years. They truly needed each other to survive and Cowboy suffered greatly after her loss.
Cowboy was a life-long resident of Eden but found himself, for a brief time, in Arkansas and Nevada where he leased ranches. He was a cowboy through and through, from his hat to his boots. He was a rancher his entire life and had a passion for the beautiful outdoors and loved his livestock as if they were part of his family. He raised cattle, sheep, goats, horses and hogs. His happiest times were spent on his ranch in Eden with his family, having a picnic and admiring his livestock and the beauty of God's creation. He could be heard saying how grateful he was that God gave him "Mama" (Bonnie), Chip and Melanie.
He attended Eden High School and graduated in 1946. He then attended and graduated from Texas A&M. Cowboy served in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M and was a member of the Fighting Texas Aggie class of 1950. He graduated as an officer and served as 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. He was stationed in Kentucky before he was sent to Kaufbeuren, Germany during the Korean War. He served in the US Seventh Army, Heavy Tank Battalion.
Cowboy is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Bonnie; his son, who was his best friend and ranch buddy, Chip; his mother, Alice Amelia Stephens; and father, Jess Manley Stephens.
Cowboy had many lifelong friends that he considered family. Many of those have preceded him in death but a few are still around and have continued to be there for him. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Melanie and Doug Marwitz of Cedar Park; his grandchildren, Meagan and Ty Marwitz of College Station; along with many cousins, nieces and nephews including a very special cousin, Kay Prosise.
The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Steven Capps and Paula Rudloff for the caregiving and ranch assistance they provided. They would also like to thank the wonderfully compassionate and supportive staff of Hospice of San Angelo and Dave Roberts, PA. Memorials can be made to HOSA; Hospice of San Angelo.
Maurice Wayne Stephens
Maurice Wayne Stephens
Eden
Wayne "Cowboy" Stephens, 86, of Eden, went to be with the Lord on Monday, Oct. 24, 2016. Service is at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016, at Eden Funeral Home chapel. Burial will follow in Eden Cemetery.
Cowboy was born in Brady, Texas, on Jan. 22, 1930, to Alice Amelia (Abernathy) and Jess Manley Stephens. Cowboy got his nickname while his mother was pregnant with him. She was hooked through the stomach by a cow and after being rushed to Brady Hospital, Alice's unborn son was given the name Cowboy by the nurses, and it stuck. Most people only know him by the name Cowboy to this day.
He married the love of his life and soul-mate, Bonnie Jo (Green) on her birthday, Nov. 26, 1949. They were inseparable until her death on Jan. 16, 2016, after being married for 66 years. They truly needed each other to survive and Cowboy suffered greatly after her loss.
Cowboy was a life-long resident of Eden but found himself, for a brief time, in Arkansas and Nevada where he leased ranches. He was a cowboy through and through, from his hat to his boots. He was a rancher his entire life and had a passion for the beautiful outdoors and loved his livestock as if they were part of his family. He raised cattle, sheep, goats, horses and hogs. His happiest times were spent on his ranch in Eden with his family, having a picnic and admiring his livestock and the beauty of God's creation. He could be heard saying how grateful he was that God gave him "Mama" (Bonnie), Chip and Melanie.
He attended Eden High School and graduated in 1946. He then attended and graduated from Texas A&M. Cowboy served in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M and was a member of the Fighting Texas Aggie class of 1950. He graduated as an officer and served as 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. He was stationed in Kentucky before he was sent to Kaufbeuren, Germany during the Korean War. He served in the US Seventh Army, Heavy Tank Battalion.
Cowboy is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Bonnie; his son, who was his best friend and ranch buddy, Chip; his mother, Alice Amelia Stephens; and father, Jess Manley Stephens.
Cowboy had many lifelong friends that he considered family. Many of those have preceded him in death but a few are still around and have continued to be there for him. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Melanie and Doug Marwitz of Cedar Park; his grandchildren, Meagan and Ty Marwitz of College Station; along with many cousins, nieces and nephews including a very special cousin, Kay Prosise.
The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Steven Capps and Paula Rudloff for the caregiving and ranch assistance they provided. They would also like to thank the wonderfully compassionate and supportive staff of Hospice of San Angelo and Dave Roberts, PA. Memorials can be made to HOSA; Hospice of San Angelo.
505 George Bush Drive
College Station, TX 77840
(979) 845-7514
When Aggies see a need, their energy and their selflessness draw others into the cause, and good things happen.
© 2024 The Association of Former Students of Texas A&M University, All Rights Reserved