Funeral service for CW5 (Retired) Joseph A. Stephens will be 9:30 A.M. Friday, August 9, 2019 in the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Doug Passmore, pastor of First Baptist East officiating.

Burial with full military honors will follow at Fort Sill National Cemetery.

CW5 (Retired) Joseph A. Stephens, age 77, of Lawton, passed away Tuesday, July 30, 2019 in Lawton.  Joseph was born on November 28, 1941 near Reform, Mississippi to Richard and Zelma (Amerson) Stephens where he grew up, attended school and graduated from Starkville High School.  After graduation, he joined the Mississippi National Guard and later came into the Army on active duty.  He served his country until his retirement on February 1, 1997.  He served combat tours in Vietnam and Desert Shield/Desert Storm.  While serving his country he received many awards and decorations including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with two oak leafs, Meritorious Service medal with two oak leafs, Army Commendation medal and National Defense medal with star.  His individual unit awards include the Meritorious Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation and Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Unit Citation.  Mr. Stephens was the first Chief Warrant Officer to be selected and promoted to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Five in the Field Artillery.

After his retirement from the Army he began working as a Software Analyst.  Upon his retirement he began playing music with a group called Frank and Friends.  They played country and gospel music for the people at retirement homes, senior citizen centers, Goodwill Adult Daycare and the VA Center.  Besides playing music, he enjoyed camping and fishing.

He is survived by his three daughters, one son-in-law and two grandsons, Tanya Shea London, Athens, Georgia, Miranda Lynn O'Neal and her husband, Mark and grandsons, Kaleb and Kyle O'Neal, Meridian, Idaho and Brenna Gail Harker, South Bend, Indiana, one brother and sister-in-law, James and Karen Stephens, Olive Branch, Mississippi, two sisters and brothers-in-law, Joyce and Larry Nix, Cumming, Georgia and Sarah and Art Kennard, Tupelo, Mississippi.

He was preceded in death by his parents.