Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
George William Stephens Jr., 83, of The Dalles, Oregon, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, after a long battle with cancer.
George was born in Butte, Montana, on Nov. 1, 1941, to George William and Helen Frances (Smith) Stephens. He was joined by two brothers, Walter John in 1944 and Daniel Edward in 1947. The family moved to Libby, Montana, in 1948, where George grew up and attended school, graduating Libby High School in 1959. During his high school years, he was manager of the football team, a member of the Lettermen’s Club, intramural basketball and class plays, and he also worked at Sleizer’s Grocery Store. He attended Western Montana College in Dillon, Montana, graduating in 1963 with a Bachelor of Education with majors in math and history. In 1971, George graduated from Southern Oregon University with a master’s degree in mathematics.
On Aug. 11, 1963, George married the love of his life, Tanis Gatten, at the Methodist Church in Libby. To this union, their sons Lance and Lane completed their family.
George started his 35-year teaching career in Browning, Montana, where he taught math and coached football, basketball and track for one year. They moved to Lake Bronson, Minnesota, and George took a teaching and coaching position there for the next three years. Wanting to move closer to family, George took a teaching position in The Dalles, where he taught until his retirement in 1998. While teaching in The Dalles, George was honored to be selected as “Teacher of the Year” two separate times. George also taught courses at Columbia Gorge Community College, in The Dalles.
Throughout his life in The Dalles, George was an active member of First United Methodist Church. He also took pride in his later love of running by taking part in the “Hood to Coast” 195-mile relay run multiple times, the Cherry Festival run and the Seaside Marathon.
George is survived by his wife, Tanis, of 62 years; sons Lance (Juana) and Lane (Sue), both of The Dalles; grandsons Ethan, Payton and Noah and granddaughter Jordan (Kyle) McDonnell; brothers Walter (Linda) Buffalo, Soth Dakota, and Dan (Kathy Wheeler), Libby; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is proceeded in death by his parents, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, sister-in-law Dixie Smart, brother-in-law Mike Gatten, and sister-in-law Cynthia Stephens.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreation District for Sorosis Park and the Riverfront Trail. Services will be held March 1 beginning at 1 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, The Dalles.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
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