HARTFORD, Ky. — James P. Stephens “Jim,” 79, of Hartford, passed away Nov. 16, 2025, at Ohio County Healthcare. He was born Aug. 4, 1946, in Owensboro, Kentucky, to the late Hugh and Irene Wells Stephens.
Jim graduated from Hartford High School and attended Henderson Community College. In his early 20’s, Jim did the final inspection on helicopter engines during the Vietnam War. He worked at several different paper mills for 40 years. He wrote instruction manuals for new hires at the paper mill. He served as Registrar for Stephen’s Breeders Association for 45 years and was a member of Hartford Masonic Lodge No. 675 for 50 years.
He loved the “little black dogs,” and won many coon hunting meets. He authored two books about the history of The Stephens Stock Mountain Curs. Jim was known as “Texas Jack” to his cowboy buddies in the National Congress of Old West Shootists (NCOWS). He won several shooting competitions and was passionate about his favorite past time.
Jim was a kind, thoughtful and generous man who loved God, country and family. He lived his faith. He was loved so very much and will always be missed.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister, Joyce Howard and a granddaughter, Heather Bickett.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 42 years, Diane Leach Stephens; children, Kathy Bickett (Steve), of Knottsville, Kentucky, Jamie Stephens (Tanja), of Louisville, Kentucky, Joe Michael Barnard (Kristina), of Beaver Dam, Kentucky, and Wendy Russell (Rob), of Beaver Dam; grandchildren, Katie Stephens, Cole Stephens, Chelsea Wathen (Tom), Eric Bickett, John Thomas Barnard, Grayden Michael Barnard, Jake Ryan Russell and Luke Russell; he was blessed with four great-grandchildren; sister, Rebecca Stewart; and nephew, Mark Geary.
The family wishes to offer their sincere gratitude for the numerous caregivers who took care of Jim during the last couple of years.
Services will be held Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 1 p.m. at Bevil Bros. Funeral Home in Beaver Dam with Bro. James Crump officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 11 a.m. until time of service. Burial will follow in Mangin-Dogwood Cemetery. A Masonic service will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 6 p.m. at the funeral home. The service on Wednesday will be live-streamed on the funeral home website.
Online messages of condolence may be sent to bevilbrosfuneralhomes.com.