Leonard Melvin Stephens

Leonard Melvin (Buddy) Stephens age 78 passed away at his home on Sunday evening March 15, 2020. 

Buddy will be laid to rest next to his loved daughter at the Post Mount Cemetery, Burnet, Texas on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at 2:30 PM.

A native of Burnet County, Texas Buddy was the only son of Oran Melvin Stephens and Willie Melba Stephens who were both Burnet County natives. Buddy met the love of his life Carolyn Newton of Burnet, Texas.  After being swept away in their immediate love attraction they were married on February 22, 1964.

During that same year Buddy joined the United State Air Force to serve his county. While in the Air Force he obtained the rank of SSGT and was deployed multiple times during the Viet Nam War. Buddy was honorably discharged after more than 13 years and having been awarded numerous honors and awards for his service. Shortly after their new life together began, they were blessed with their first son, Thomas Brian Stephens; then a year later their beautiful daughter Robin Lynn Stephens; and seven years later they were blessed with another son, Shannon Melvin Stephens.

Following the service to his county, Buddy followed his dream to help others as a funeral director. After years of hard work, he completed mortuary school in Dallas, Texas and received his Texas license in mortuary sciences. In those early years morticians in many counties responded as the first responders. This is what would later become what we now call ambulances. At one point during his career, he worked in Lampasas and recalled numerous times in the middle of the night driving at break neck speeds to Breckinridge Hospital in Austin to save a life of someone involved in a tragic event. But life presented its challenges to Buddy and Carolyn, one of the most difficult times being in 1982 when they lost their beloved daughter Robin in a tragic car accident. Buddy continued to feel the pain of her loss every day of his remaining years. Buddy’s other accomplishments included the ownership of his own embalming company, S & K Mortuary Services in Fort Worth, Texas, where he often donated all costs for the indigent and active members of the military. He was a Master Mason and member of the Lions Club for many years, he loved to help others. Buddy enjoyed hunting and fishing, but later came to love watching, rather that hunting, wildlife from the porch of his home in Burnet. Buddy had an infectious deep laugh and a gregarious smile.

Buddy is survived his wife, Carolyn; his two sons: Thomas, and his wife Christy; Shannon and his wife Valerie; 3 grandchildren: Cody, Caity, Colton; great granddaughter Emma Kate; and numerous extended loved ones. My dad was loved deeply by his friends and family, and will be dearly missed. 

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