Ronald David Stephens, Jr. of Savannah, Ga., 86, died peacefully Sunday, February 23, 2025 after a long illness.

The oldest of three sons, Ron was born April 3, 1938 in Fitzgerald, Ga to Ronald David Stephens, Sr. and Inez Wiley Stephens. The family soon moved to Watkinsville, Ga and on to Athens, Ga where Ron’s father was a faculty member at the University of Georgia, cementing Ron’s lifelong love and passion for the Bulldogs. Athens was a small college town at the time and fully accessible by bicycle, providing Ron and his childhood friends endless opportunities for adventures and mischief.

Ron graduated from Athens High in 1956 before attending North Georgia Military School and then the University of Georgia where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in 1961. During this period, he joined the Coast Guard and served honorably in the Coast Guard Reserves for five years. While attending UGA’s Law School, Ron met his future wife, Mary. As Ron’s life so often revolved around UGA football, Ron and Mary’s first date was to the first game of the season the fall of 1961.

Ron and Mary were married the day after Christmas in 1964. They lived in Atlanta and Gainesville while Mary completed her Master’s at Emory before they settled in Savannah in 1968, where Ron continued to work for Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company. In 1971, Ron and Mary built the Ethan Allen Carriage House, a fine furniture store in Savannah, as the owner and manager. A highlight was being the focus of Ethan Allen’s Christmas In Savannah program, which Ethan Allen showcased nationally. To celebrate the tenth anniversary as owners of Ethan Allen, the name was changed to Stephens’ Carriage House.

In 1982, Ron joined the Branigar Organization, which was the Union Camp subsidiary developing the Landings on Skidaway Island. During his career with Branigar, Ron would be a Vice President and oversee the development and opening of new areas and golf courses, including Midpoint, Plantation, Franklin Creek Activity Center and Pool, Delegal Creek Marina, Oakridge, Deer Creek, and the Village shopping area, while ensuring land was set aside for several churches and space for The Landings Association’s offices and athletic fields. Also during this time, Ron commuted to Emory University in Atlanta to receive his Master’s in Business Administration in 1986.

While in Savannah, Ron enjoyed being active in serving his community, which included as President of the new Rotary Club and on the Board of Safe Shelter. As a long time member of Christ Episcopal Church, Ron served on the Vestry, with three terms as Senior Warden, which included the extensive renovation of the Parish House. In 1985, Ron and Mary were one of the three founding families to petition the Bishop of Georgia to found St. Peter’s Episcopal Church of Skidaway Island. Originally meeting in Bethesda’s chapel, Ron proudly served as St. Peter’s first Senior Warden. While attending each church, he regularly served as a Lector and an Eucharistic Minister, in addition to various other ministries. During this period in Savannah, Ron and Mary were members of the Savannah Yacht Club, the Marshwood Club, and the Oglethorpe Club.

In 1992, Ron and Mary moved to Scottsdale, Arizona where Ron was President of Desert Mountain Properties, an upscale golf community. Ron also served on the Fiesta Bowl Committee. To be closer to family and the Bulldogs, Ron and Mary moved back several years later to the southeast and Hendersonville, NC, where Ron rejoined the Branigar Organization at the Champion Hills golf community. After retiring from Branigar in 2000, Ron sold real estate until 2019, with many years working as part of Beverly Hanks & Associates. 

Ron was always active in the Hendersonville community, serving as Board Chair for Pardee Hospital, Chair of the United Way Campaign, a member of Rotary, and being a constant and enthusiastic supporter of the Boys and Girls Club of Henderson County. Ron volunteered for years as a driver for FISH, ensuring seniors reached their doctors on time. To further serve the community, Ron served on Hendersonville’s City Council for 12 years, including four years as Mayor Pro Tempore. The City of Hendersonville recently posted, “Throughout his tenure, [Ron] played a vital role in key city projects, from infrastructure improvements and economic development to public safety and downtown enhancements. His advocacy helped shape initiatives like the Oklawaha Greenway expansion, the redevelopment of the Grey Hosiery Mill, and the preservation of the Erle Stillwell Building at Hendersonville High School….His legacy will continue to inspire.”

Another passion project for several years, Ron produced a short weekly radio spot called Ron’s Senior Moment. It aired locally on WHKP, offering quick tips and helpful hints of all kinds. He also served as a Notary Public in both Hendersonville and Savannah.

Ron and Mary were members of St. James Church and then St. John’s in the Wilderness Church of Flat Rock, NC. They were also members of Champion Hills Club and then the Hendersonville Country Club, where Ron enjoyed playing golf and never missed his Tuesday Lunch Group. This group of men quickly became known for the laughter that filled the clubhouse.

Ron was a man of great integrity and generosity, known always for his clever wit and terrific sense of humor. He loved to spend Saturday’s on the golf course, as long as it did not interfere with Georgia football. He enjoyed supporting local politicians in every community he lived in and could discuss current politics in great detail with anyone. Even as Ron blended a very active career life and volunteer life in several communities over the decades, Ron was an extraordinary role model to his children and grandchildren, as a devoted husband and father, a stickler for being on time, using the best manners always, and always having a kind or funny encouragement ready for everyone you meet. His daughters share wonderful memories of him encouraging them in every worthwhile endeavor, always having a humorous quip or several, and never missing one of their numerous ballet recitals, piano
recitals, and basketball games. Some of their fondest memories are of their annual family vacations and the silliness that would inevitably occur. Ron’s daughters saw first hand the meaning of a true gentlemen in action. Even as a firm leader of the family, he clearly and openly adored his wife, always treating her as an equal partner, while highly valuing her guidance and opinions. He set the example of kindly caring for and supporting both grandmothers as they became young widows while they were healthy and through long years of their illnesses.

Ron is predeceased by his brother the Rev. Dr. B. Wiley Stephens, Sr. and Harry Stephens, and his parents Ronald and Inez Stephens. Ron is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Culclasure Stephens, daughters Sally Martin (Charlie) of Savannah, Catherine Smith (Ashley) of Savannah, grandchildren Zander Roth (Hannah), Sarah Roth, Matthew Roth, Ash Smith, and Mary Smith.

Following a private family burial at Greenwich Cemetery, the funeral service will be at 1:00 pm on Friday, February 28th at St. John’s Episcopal Church. A reception will follow the service in Cranmer Hall. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider donating to Hospice Savannah: PO Box 13190, Savannah, GA, 31416 or the Boys and Girls Club of Henderson County: PO Box 1460, Hendersonville, NC, 28793.