George Arthur "Art" Stephens
Marriages
Vivian Schurott
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 3 D Death Notice - February 5, 2017
George Arthur Stephens, 86, Grand
Junction, died Feb. 2, 2017, at St. Mary’s Hospital.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Callahan-
Edfast Mortuary.
He was a professor of biology.
Survivors include his wife, Vivian; one
daughter, Brenda Armour of Flagstaff, Arizona;
one brother, Paul of St. Augustine, Florida;
and eight grandchildren.
Memorial contributions to People for the
Ethical Treatment of Animals, 501 Front
Street, Norfolk, Virginia 23510; or to the National
Wildlife Federation, P.O. Box 1637, Merrifield,
Virginia 22116.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 6 A Obituary - February 7, 2017
Art Stephens was born in
Omaha, Nebraska, on July 10,
1930, to Eloise and Jim
Stephens, the fifth of six
children. The Stephens family
moved to Paonia, CO, during
the early 1930’s where they
operated the Star Mercantile
grocery store.
Art graduated from Paonia
High where he enjoyed
playing football for three seasons. In 1953 he graduated from
the University of Northern Colorado and left for Marine Corp
officer training in Quantico, VA. He achieved the rank of
captain during his six-year commitment in the USMC reserve.
Upon discharge, he enrolled at the University of Colorado
where, after working toward the degree for a number of years,
he was awarded a PhD in Education.
Art spent most of his career in the Denver metro area where he
met his wife of 34 years, Vivian (Schurott) Stephens. During
this time, Art taught biology and natural science classes at
Arapahoe Community College and was the Dean of Students
when he retired in 1991.
A lifelong love of the Western Slope brought him to Grand
Junction when he retired. He worked as a seasonal National
Park Service Ranger from 1959-1993 in Yellowstone, Mt.
Rainer, Olympic National Park, Canyonlands, and Arches.
Art had a passion for wildlife, particularly wolves and bears,
and a great love of the outdoors. He was an avid hiker and cross
country skier. He was the President of the Western Colorado
Congress after retirement and was involved in many charitable
causes especially those benefitting animals and environmental
conservation.
Survivors include Art’s beloved wife, Vivian; daughter,
Brenda (Armour), Flagstaff, AZ; step-son and step-daughters,
Patrick Schurott, Princeton, NJ; Victoria Mast, Highlands
Ranch, CO, and Pamela (Joe) Connolly, DeBuque, IA;
grandchildren, Courtney (Alejandro Parga) Armour, Jesse
Armour, Addison Mast, Anthony Schurott, Lauren Connolly,
Matthew Connolly, Ryan Connolly, and Seth Connolly. Art is
also survived by his brother, Paul (Meg), St. Augustine, FL;
several nieces and nephews, and grand nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to: National Wildlife
Federation, www.nwf.org, Post Office Box 1637, Merrifield, VA
22116 or PETA, 501 Front Street, Norfolk, VA 23510.
