EARNEST E. STEPHENS, JR.

December 15, 1937 to , January 11, 2022

Salina, Oklahoma

Earnest's Obituary

Earnest E. Stephens, 84 of Salina passed away Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at Hillcrest South in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Earnie was born December 15, 1937, in Anadarko, Oklahoma the son of Earnest E. Sr and Valtie V (Johnston) Stephens.  Earnie Graduated from Broxton High School in 1956, Apache, Oklahoma.  He served in the Air Force from 1957-1962.  On December 31, 1974, Earnie married Diana (Ray) Reeser. He then adopted his two children, Laura R. (Pringle) Cowan and Larry Vincent (Vince) Pringle in 1979.  Earnie worked with Melton Company for over 30 years, selling medical supplies until his retirement in 2007 and the closing of the company. 

He enjoyed participating in his Boy Scout Troop during Vince’s youth.  Later he and Diana, along with her parents, Dob and Frances Reeser, enjoyed square dancing.  He lived with Laura and Eddie for the last 2 years and 8 months.  He enjoyed helping around the house and walking the family dog, “Girl”.  Earnie also enjoyed going to breakfast every Saturday and Eastside cafe and always ordered the Eastside Special.  He was loved and will be missed by all of his adopted family on Rose Prairie. 

He is survived by:  his daughter Laura R. Cowan and husband Eddie of Salina, OK,  and Larry Vincent Pringle of Mustang, OK.  His grandchildren: Reesa M. (Cowan) Guy and husband Tyler of Salina, Ok,  Jarek Cowan of Salina, OK.   Stephen Pringle of Mustang, Ok, Christopher Pringle of Oklahoma, Caleb Cowan of Salina, OK,  and Kenneth Pringle all of Mustang, OK.  One year old, Great Granddaughter, Claira Grace Guy.  Johnny Stephens his younger brother and wife Pat, Newark, DE. Heather and Travis Stephens niece and nephew in Delaware.  Jenny Clifton, sister-in-law, Louisiana. Cousins:  Wilhelmina and Frank Bower, Stephen Miller, Charlie Miller and Donnie from Missouri, and many other cousins.. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Diana R Stephens, brothers Albert Pittman, Euell Pittman, Zella Davis, and his in-laws Orion “Dob” and Frances M. Reeser.