Clayton L. Stephenson

Clayton Stephenson, 49, passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 16, 2013 at the Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center.  He was born August 11, 1963 to Fred R. & Jeri G. (Bryant) Stephenson in Azle, Texas. He graduated from Swink High School in 1983.  Clay married Tami L. Hopkins on December 29, 1984 in Lamar, CO.

Clay was in the US Navy from 1988 to 1992 and served aboard the USS Nimitz. He was involved in tours in the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Arctic Ocean and during the mopup operations of the first Gulf War which included a tremendous amount of sorties being flown. Clay was employed by Black Hills Electric as a line foreman. He was a generous man who loved his children.

He is survived by his wife Tami Hopkins-Stephenson and two daughters, Audrey and Hayley, his parents, Fred and Jeri Stephenson of Manzanola, sister Susie Muth of La Junta, Peggy Becker of Hanahan, South Carolina, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held on Monday, January 21, 2013, at 10:00 a.m., at Valley Community Church with Reverend Kurt England officiating. Interment was at Fairview Cemetery in La Junta with Military Honors by the Rocky Ford Rifle Team, American Legion Post #8.

A memorial fund has been set up in memory of Clayton at the First National Bank, P.O. Box 1030, La Junta, CO, 81050.  We will be supporting the National Sisterhood United for Journeyman Linemen.  This is a fund that helps linemen and families of lineman who have fallen or been injured on the job.

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.