Larry Stephens

Larry W. Stephens, who helped The Associated Press usher in a new era of technology from old-style teletype machines to modern-day satellite dishes and high speed delivery, died Friday, August 9, 2013, after a battle with cancer.

Larry joined the U.S. Air Force and served from 1960 to 1968 during the Vietnam Conflict. He began his 34-year career at the company as a technician in New York in 1968. Within months, he was promoted to assistant chief of communications and a short time later, in 1971, Stephens left New York to take the helm of the AP’s communications operation in the nation’s capital.

Larry was the ultimate AP guy, the man who made the Washington bureau run,” said former Washington bureau chief Walter Mears. “When something needed to be done, he made sure it happened.”

Stephens took up woodwork after his retirement in 2002. He crafted about 1,800 pens from a wide variety of woods, including osage orange from the family farm in Missouri, and gave them all away.
He also made wood toys, from helicopters to jeeps to grasshoppers, to be distributed overseas by church missions. Some are in Haiti. A few months before his death, Stephens said he regretted that he would be unable to finish the last 10 of 50 toys he had promised for distribution to children in Africa.

After removing the stain from an old altar rail in his church that was no longer in use, he discovered that it was made from a beautiful walnut. He said it was too precious to use for toys, so he fashioned crosses and pens for members of the congregation. “He has done the Lord’s work,” his wife said.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Austin R. and Annetta Lasser Stephens; and a sister, Barbara Stephens. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Judy Stephens; daughter, Carrie Stephens Case and her husband Scott; grandsons, David and Stephen Case; sister, Linda Sharp and husband Jim of Maryville, MO; brother, Kevin Stephens and wife Shirley of Carrollton, MO; sister-in-law, Kay Cheesman and husband Harold of Omaha, NE; brother-in-law, Ron Lane and wife, Margaret of Carrollton, MO; special nephew, Lonnie Williams; as well as other nieces and nephews.

There will be a luncheon served on Saturday, August 17, 2013, at 12 noon at the fellowship hall of Park United Methodist Church, Christiansburg, with a memorial service to follow at 2 p.m. Rev. Michael Sanborn will officiate the service. Private interment will be on Monday, August 19, 2013, in the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery, Dublin.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Neighborhood Sonshine Klub, c/o Park United Methodist Church, 306 Park St., Christiansburg, VA 24073.