James Stephens

James (Jim) departed this life on July 3 2022. at the age of 87.

Jim graduated from Wynona High School. Soon after he graduated from school Jim joined the Army as a mechanic til 1963. Jim married Barbara Rowden on June 10 1959 in Sperry Okla,.Jim started training horses in 1959 while working at Tulsa paper, he continued to work a job during the days and train horses at night until 1977 when Jim’s friend JD Slinkard bought the race track in Sapulpa and asked Jim and Barbara to manage the track, they bought land next to the track and thus began Jim’s fulltime training business, Jim was already a accomplished trainer having many many win pictures from the 1960’s and 1970’s from all across the Midwest, He still holds the ranking of  #14 all time leading APHA Racing trainer by wins to this day and has not started a paint race in 15 years. Jim enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and family. Jim stayed busy with is mechanic work  and working around the house. He loved going to the coffee shop every morning to have coffee with the guys.

James is survived by his wife Barbara Stephens of the home. Two sons Jimmy Don Stephens of Jones,Ok and Kevin Stephens and his fiancé Bonnie Barrera of Kellyville Ok.Six grandchildren Ami Winland and husband Arin of Tulsa Ok Cody Stephens and wife Liz of Tulsa OK, Dylan Stephens and his girlfriend MaKhayla Inks of Prattville Okla,

Ryan Stephens of Prattville, Okla, Tyler Stephens of Claremore, Okla, and Makayla Stephens of Claremore, Okla and two great grandchildren Charlotte Stephens of Tulsa, Okla Penelope Stephens of Tulsa, Okla and one on the way. James has one Sister Linda and Benny Ware of Elk City Okla, Tom Stephens of Claremore Okla, and  Joe  and  Tresea Stephens  of  Owasso Okla. James is preceded in death by his father Burl Stephens mother Eula Stephens brothers Roy Lee Jerry and Donald Stephens Neil and Rayburn Williams and sisters Ruth Stephens and Dora Mae Castleman Frances Tillis and Barbara Sue Williams