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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, A life lived with joy and purpose drew to a close |
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with the passing of Dr. Marvin Graydon Stephens Jr. of Tyler on |
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April 10, 2023, at the age of 81; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of Marvin Graydon Stephens Sr. and Emma |
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Charlotte Woods Stephens, Marvin Stephens was born in Fort Worth on |
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April 5, 1942; he attended Texas Tech University and served in the |
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U.S. Marine Corps Reserve; after graduating from Baylor Dental |
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School and the Baylor School of Orthodontics, he established his |
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practice in Tyler; dedicated to his patients and to his profession, |
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he was active in numerous organizations and served in many |
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leadership roles, including as president of the Smith County Dental |
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Society, the Baylor Orthodontic Alumni Association, and the |
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Southwest Component of the E. H. Angle Society of Orthodontists; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Dr. Stephens was also engaged in his community; a |
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charter member of the Tyler Centurion Club, he was a longtime member |
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of the Tyler Lions Club and the Order of The Rose of The Texas Rose |
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Festival as well; a man of faith, he was a valued member of Marvin |
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Methodist Church, serving as a youth Sunday school teacher and as an |
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usher; and |
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WHEREAS, Above all, Dr. Stephens was devoted to his family; |
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he shared a fulfilling marriage with his wife, Penny, and he took |
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great pride in his children, Brooke, Cory, and the late Marvin |
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Graydon Stephens III, who preceded his father in death; over the |
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years, he attended every one of his children's games, recitals, and |
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special events, and he enjoyed many happy hours with his family |
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relaxing at the lake and traveling; his son Cory followed in his |
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footsteps and joined his practice; and |
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WHEREAS, Although Marvin Stephens is deeply missed by those |
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he left behind, they will forever treasure their memories of his |
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warmth, kindness, and optimism; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature |
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hereby pay tribute to the life of Dr. Marvin Graydon Stephens Jr. |
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and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his |
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wife, Penny Kennard Stephens; to his son, Dr. Cory Stephens; to his |
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daughter, Brooke Marie Stephens; to his granddaughter, Marlee |
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Blythe Stephens; to his sister, Janie Lehmann, and her husband, |
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Dr. Jerry Lehmann; to his niece, Dr. Melissa Lehmann; and to his |
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other relatives and friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this |
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day, it do so in memory of Dr. Marvin Graydon Stephens Jr. |