Daniel E. Stephens

Daniel E. Stephens, age 65, of Grants Pass, died June 22, 2017 at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center.

Daniel was born March 25, 1951 in Modesto, California to Fred & Juanita Stephens. He graduated from Thomas Downey High School where he played center on the Knights football team. He attended Modesto Junior College, Stanislaus State University and Brigham Young University, Hawaii. While at BYU Hawaii he met the love of his life Triss Merkley and on March 17, 1978 at the Oakland, California Temple they were married. In January 1979, he joined the United States Army served in Desert Storm as a 91R and was honorably discharged in 1993 after receiving a bronze star. Daniel earned his Master’s degree in English before starting to work for the Department of Defense in Hawaii. Over the years he worked for Russell Stover Candies, Soy Delicious Ice Cream (formerly Turtle Mountain Foods); the Herb Pharm and Ciao Bella Gelato before medically retiring. In 2005 he moved from Eugene, Oregon to Grants Pass.

Daniel was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Riverside Ward, Association of Retired Enlisted Veterinary Personnel (AREVP) and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He volunteered his time with his son tending the Josephine County Fairgrounds gardens.

Daniel especially enjoyed writing – life histories of his grandfather and grandmother; and poetry. He also enjoyed sporting events especially basketball, football and baseball.

Survivors include his wife, Triss Stephens; daughter, Danielle Georgiana Gutierrez and son, Daniel Parker Stephens all of Grants Pass; his parents, Fred & Nita Stephens of Modesto; a sister, Luana Stephens of California; and two brothers, David Stephens of Wyoming and Fred Stephens Jr of California.

A graveside service with military honors will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 7, 2017 at Eagle Point National Cemetery. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.