Paul “David” Stephens, 73, of Herculaneum died June 16, 2023, at his home. Mr. Stephens retired from AT&T as a management development instructor. He was a member and served on the security team of First Baptist Church of Arnold, held a fifth-degree black belt in taekwondo, was an NRA-certified firearms instructor and played Santa at the Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska, for many years. He was born Aug. 29, 1949, in St. Louis, the son of the late Vivian (Johnson) and Arzie Clayton Stephens.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years: Trina (Troutman) Stephens; a daughter: Michelle (Scott) Hart; five grandchildren: Tyler (Ellissa), Devon and Emily Hart and Lucas and Jacob Stephens; a sister: Tammy Stevens; three siblings-in-law: Nancy Troutman, Mary (Chris) Hutson and Ed Troutman; and 12 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Jon, his parents-in-law: Ralph and Delsie (Hedgcoth) Troutman; and three siblings: Arzie Stephens Jr., Sally Simpson and Nancy Richey.
Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 20, at Kutis Funeral Home, 10151 Gravois Road, Affton. Funeral service will be held at noon Wednesday, June 21, at the First Baptist Church of Arnold, 2012 Missouri State Road, officiated by Pastor Kenny Qualls. Burial will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.