Leslie Eugene Stephens

Leslie “Les” Eugene Stephens of Florence, Kentucky, passed away Saturday, February 10th, 2024 at his apartment in the Colonial Heights Senior Living Retirement Community; he was 99 years old. He was born in Alexandria, Kentucky on Monday, September 15th, 1924 to the late Thomas and Leontine Stephens. In addition to his parents, Les is preceded in death by his 5 brothers: Wayne, Harold, Robert, Dale, and Howard Stephens; as well as his sister, June Hesselman.

“A wonderful human, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. A retired US Navy Master Chief Petty Officer, retired General Electric aircraft engine division, farmer, master gardener. Lover of nature, cowboy hats, turquoise rings, and his front porch. Kentucky Soil Conservation Officer, traveler throughout the West and his beloved Yellowstone National Park. Loved his home state of Kentucky, especially Natural Bridge and Red River Gorge. Spent his last day eating bacon for breakfast and singing at choir practice. Always doing what he loved with no regrets. We love you and miss you already.”

Les truly lived his dream life. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. His Naval Career of 22 years enabled him to retire at the age of 42 as a Master Chief Petty Officer and buy the farm of his dreams in Verona, Kentucky. He farmed in his free time all while working full-time at General Electric in Evendale for 16 years. Les loved his farm and the community of Verona where he raised tobacco and Hereford cows, farming there for over 50 years.

Les moved to Colonial Heights 5 years ago and adored his apartment, the grounds, Heights employees, and made so many new friends. His friends there called him ‘Cowboy’, as he famously always wore his cowboy hat.

Les was an incredibly loving father to his three daughters who loved him immensely and will miss him beyond words; he is survived by them: Martha (Robert) Stupica of Covington, Kentucky, Mary Stephens (Steve Hohman) of Louisville, Kentucky, and Michele Stephens (John Crawley) of Dallas, Texas; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. Les leaves a lasting legacy of his two cherished grandchildren: Michael (Katy) Stupica and Matthew Stupica; along with his two treasured great-grandchildren: Maren Stupica and Mica Stupica.

A funeral service for Les will begin at 12:00PM on Wednesday, February 14th, 2024 at the Hamilton-Stanley Funeral Home in Verona, Kentucky. A visitation will be held beforehand at the funeral home from 10:00AM-12:00PM. Following the funeral service, Master Chief Petty Officer- Leslie Stephens will be laid to rest alongside his fellow veterans at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery North in Williamstown, Kentucky beginning at 2:00PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any memorial contributions be made to the ’Tunnel to Towers Foundation’; an organization that supports America's heroes by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. Contributions can be made through their website at: T2T.org ( https://t2t.org )