Omer Ollie Stephens Jr

Omer Ollie Stephens Jr., 80, of Hammond, died Sunday, May 9, 2010, in Hammond.

He was born Aug. 17, 1929, in Astoria, to Omer Ollie and Pearl E. (Atterbury) Stephens.

He graduated from Astoria High School in 1949.

After joining the Astoria National Guard, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving for four years.

On March 6, 1954, he married Iona "Onie" Mulholland Bateman Stephens in Jerome, Idaho. She survives, residing in Hammond.

For 48 years, Mr. Stephens worked at the Hildebrand Furniture Store. For eight years, he worked for Roehms Home Furnishings in Seaside.

He was involved in many Astoria civic activities. In 1961, he was named First Junior Citizen of Astoria and was a member of the Oregon JCI Senate. He was a member of the civil service commission in Astoria for seven years, the Astoria Clowns for 16 years and Astoria Clatsop Post 12 American Legion. He was past president of the Astoria Regatta Association and past exulted ruler of the Astoria Elks Lodge No. 180. He was also a member of the Pioneer Presbyterian Church in Warrenton.

Family members said his hobbies included swimming, golf, bowling, hunting and walking.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Linda Stephens and Steve White of Astoria; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Dan and Cindy Stephens of Astoria and Omer "Steve" Stephens III of Seaside; seven grandchildren, Stephanie Burnett and Jason C. and Jennifer Stephens, all of Astoria, Michelle Walker of Otis, Aaron Stephens of Beaverton and Nicholas and Mitchell Stephens of Seaside; two great-grandchildren, Nathan and McKenzie Burnett of Astoria; a brother, Don Stephens of Lobbies, Texas; a stepsister, Carol Sheppard and her husband, Mick, of Hammond; a stepmother, Hazel Stephens of Astoria; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was proceeded in death by two sisters, Beta Moore and Jerry Letsinger.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 16 at the Astoria Elks Lodge, 453 11th St.

Memorial contributions may be given to Lower Columbia Hospice, in care of Caldwell's Luce-Layton Mortuary, 1165 Franklin Ave., Astoria, OR 97103.