John William Stephens

John Stephens, cherished brother, uncle and friend, passed away at home in Sausalito on August 4. His sister Kathy and his close friend Dave LeClercq were by his side. John was 69 years old.

A 6th generation Californian, John was born in Oakland. His mother moved the family to Sausalito when he was 8. Paralyzed by an accident at the age of 19, John never let his disability interfere with his adventurous spirit. He traveled extensively, visiting Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand, Mexico, numerous islands in the Caribbean, and Vancouver, Canada. Of all the places he traveled Moorea in French Polynesia was his favorite. He lived in the Philippines for 6 months. He drove down to Baja California twice with two friends, hauling his Zodiac boat with him. He got his scuba diving license in Cozumel, Mexico. He tried skydiving (twice was enough). A skilled water skier in his teens, he quickly adapted to other creative methods of “skiing” behind a speedboat after his accident, and he learned to “sit ski” in the snow. A natural competitor, John became an excellent pool player and woe to anyone who thought they could take advantage of the guy in the wheelchair.

John grew up sailing San Francisco Bay on his family’s 34-foot sailboat on which they lived aboard in the Sausalito Yacht Harbor.

John’s life was devoted to the water and boats. He co-owned Sausalito’s Bay Riggers for over 20 years where he became an expert at rope to wire splicing. Later he brought his splicing expertise to Sausalito’s South Beach Riggers where he met his good friend and long time roommate Dave. He and Dave shared a passion for building and flying large remote control airplanes and gliders. In his later years they enjoyed cruising on passenger ships throughout the Caribbean and through the Panama Canal.

John is predeceased by his father Glenn Stephens, his mother Nancy Stephens King and his stepfather Bill King. He is survived by his sister Kathleen Lowenthal (Barry), his brothers Greg Stephens (Jenny) and Jeff Stephens, his step-mother Elizabeth Stephens, his nieces Julia and Alison Lowenthal and many, many friends who loved him dearly. A Celebration of Life for John will be planned in the near future.