Neal Stephens Obituary

Neal L. Stephens, of Leasburg, MO, was born on Tuesday, April 16, 1940, on the farm in Leasburg, MO, to Loyd Reed Stephens and Leona May Stephens, nee Wright. He passed away surrounded by his loving family at his home in Leasburg, MO, on Friday, February 14, 2025, at the age of 84 years, 9 months and 29 days.
Neal lived in Crawford County most of his life, attended Possum Hollow Grade School and then worked on the family farm. He was baptized in the river near Onondaga State Park in 1951, while he attended Cross Roads Baptist Church in Leasburg, MO. He met the love of his life, Gail Carol Ray, while in grade school but later won her heart when he followed her to St. Louis, MO. They were married just a few days after his eighteenth birthday, on April 19, 1958, at Cross Roads Church in Leasburg, MO, by Rev. Delmar Hutson, and to this union 4 children were born. Neal worked as a driller in California and Arizona until he and Gail returned to Missouri where worked as a certified welder at Pea Ridge Mines until 1966, when he and Ed Woodruff then began, S&W Well Drilling, in 1966. Neal later bought out Carnal Pump Service in Cuba, MO and in 1980, changed the name of his company to, S&S Well Drilling, that he owned and operated with his sons for many years. His company was one of the largest well drilling companies, even being hired by St. Joe Lead where they did test hole drilling and made pilot holes/air vents for mines in Fletcher and Indian Creek. Neal was many things in life, if you could have it or dream it he probably had it. He had a pilot's license and owned a Cessna 172, owned a radio station in 1980-1982, KBCC, in 1982-1983 he was a RC Cola Soda Distributor out of Jefferson City and a member of the Crawford County Sheriff's Posse Saddle Club. Neal was a charter member and served as a deacon for First Southern Church in Leasburg, MO and lately attended Deer Creek Church in Cuba, MO. He sang gospel music, where he was in a quartet with the Mattox Family, had his own group, the Sunshine Gospel Singers, and enjoyed attending the National Quartet Conventions. Neal was a hard worker that didn't have time for many hobbies, yet enjoyed traveling to Branson in this motor home, motorcycles, riding horses, fishing, hunting, gigging and was proud of his restored Volkswagon. Most of all, Neal was a devout Christian, devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Loyd and Leona Stephens; parents-in-law, Harold and Lucille Ray; siblings, Helen (husband Russ) Bender, Dean (wife Mary) Stephens and Donna (husband Darrell) Clonts; brothers-in-law, Bob Jones, Stanley Bell and Edwin Woodruff; sister-in-law, Dorothy Ray.
Neal is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Gail Stephens of Leasburg, MO; children, Steve (wife Brenda) Stephens, Mark (wife Bonnie) Stephens, James (wife Tina) Stephens all of Leasburg, MO and Michelle (husband Buddy) Payne of Bourbon, MO; sister, Lola Bell of Sullivan, MO; brother-in-law, Harold Ray of Potosi, MO; sister-in-law, Joan Woodruff of Columbia, MO; 9 grandchildren: Melissa (husband Sean) Flowers, Stacey (husband Robby) Payne, Darren Stephens, Carrie Stephens, Nick Stephens, Michaella (husband Daniel) Neuner, Austin Stephens, Christy (husband Colby) Hemby and Joey Woodson; 15 great grandchildren: Connor, Logan, Emmett, Ellie, Josephine, Leah, Harley, Leo, Mya, Shelby, Wyatt, Cassie, Lucas, Dawson and Logan; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visitation was from 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at Hutson Funeral Home in Cuba, MO. Funeral Service immediately followed at 7:00 PM with Pastor Tommy Miller officiating. Private Burial was at Cross Roads Cemetery, Leasburg, MO. In lieu of flowers, memorials were suggested to the Lifehouse Youth Center, Cuba, MO in care of Deer Creek Church.
Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, MO.
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