Obituary of James Douglas Stephens

James Douglas Stephens, of Pikeville, born October 29, 1931, passed away August 14, 2020. He was born in Pikeville, graduated from Bledsoe County High School, and attended UT-Knoxville. During the Korean War, he served in the Air Force (A/1c(P) as a radio operator/interceptor for a flight crew. He received the Occupation Medal (Germany), National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Following his military service, Jim resumed school and graduated from UT-Memphis School of Pharmacy as a Registered Pharmacist in 1958. He returned to Pikeville in 1963 to co-own Ferguson-Stephens Drug Store, eventually owning the business as Stephens Pharmacy. He was a pharmacist in Pikeville for 39 years, retiring in 2002. Jim was a member of the Pikeville United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School and sang in the choir. His interests included learning to play the piano and learning to paint, fishing, ham radio operator and daily working his beloved crossword puzzles. If anyone ever asked Jim how he was, they were greeted by his favorite phrase: “I’m fine and dandy, no other way to be. Sometimes sweet as candy, just a real Jim dandy, especially when the sun is shining or (insert weather report at the end).” Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Bates and Mary Ross Lloyd Stephens; sister, Mary Elizabeth Hegvold; and brothers, Bill and Mark Stephens. Jim is survived by his wife of 68 years, Etta Turner Stephens; daughters, Vicki (Randy) Frye of Knoxville and Karyn (Ralph) Angel of Pikeville; grandchildren, Ashley (Matthew) Boynton, James Angel, Erin Frye and Will Frye; great-grandchildren, Javan Turner Angel, Margo Boynton and Oscar Boynton; sisters-in-laws, Anna Margaret Stephens and Phyllis Turner Johnston; several cousins, nieces, nephews and a host of friends. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at Pikeville Cemetery. Online condolences can be made at www.reedfamilyfh.com. Arrangements are by Putnam-Reed Funeral Home, 1171 Main Street, Pikeville, TN. Visitation will be held Friday, September 11, 2020 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. CDT at the funeral home.