Wayne Clark Stephens, born October 17, 1940, in Olive Hill Kentucky, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on April 16, 2022, in Medina Ohio. Wayne came to Ohio in 1950 where he graduated from Mansfield Senior High School in 1960 and worked in the local A&P Grocery store during his high school years. Wayne enlisted in the United States Air Force in July of 1960 where he proudly served in Okinawa, Japan for 2 years and then the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base during his last 2 years of active duty. As Staff Sergeant, Wayne continued and completed his military career serving 3 years in the United States National Guard stationed at the Mansfield Lahm Air National Guard Base in Mansfield Ohio. Wayne received an honorable discharge in October 1967. Wayne began his civilian career during his reserves service with the Ohio Brass Research Center in Rittman, Ohio and attended the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio. Wayne received his electronics associates degree in 1971 and on to receive his Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering in 1975. In 1976, Wayne accepted a position with the Copperweld Steel Company in Warren, Ohio as a General Forman of the Electronics Division. Wayne served 32 years prior to the company’s closure and finished the last 5 years of his career with the Warren Steel Company in Warren, Ohio where he continued his ambition for teaching and mentoring young engineers and technicians. Wayne valued education and fulfilled his commitment by serving as a part-time professor at the local Trumbull County Kent State University Campus for many years during his working career and into his retirement. Wayne enjoyed photography, music, caring for his canine friends through the years, tinkering and fixing engines and anything electronic as well as building, programming, and selling computers during his retirement. Wayne relocated to Wooster, Ohio in 2008 to be closer to his family after 37 years in the steel industry. Wayne will be greatly missed by his three children daughters Kerry L. Turner of South Euclid Ohio, Lori L. Stephens of Westfield Center, Ohio, and son Jeffrey W. Stephens of Columbus, Ohio, sister Carolyn L. Stamper of Mansfield, Ohio, stepsister Connie Duncan of Cynthiana, Kentucky, five grandchildren, one great-grandson, many nieces, nephews, cousins along with Wayne’s little Bichon Frise/Poodle buddy “Tippy”, whom he adopted from the shelter at 5 years old and has been a loving and comforting companion over the last 14 years. Wayne was proceeded in death by his mother Audrey N. Burton, stepfather James D. “Deacon” Burton, and his youngest sister Mona “Jayne” Wittmer. A special mention to his former wife, and mother of Wayne’s three children, Sandra F. Haas for her dedicated love and support as well as Wayne’s countless caregivers with loving hands over the last few years. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association and The Hospice of the Western Reserve Foundation in Medina, Ohio.
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