Roll Call Tribute

Byron Stewart Stephens 

March 3, 1961 - June 23, 2024 

Byron Stewart Stephens of New Braunfels, Texas, was born March 3, 1961, in Edinburg, Texas, to Norman and Mary Carolyn Stephens of Medina, Texas. He passed away on June 23, 2024, surrounded by family. He was 63 years old.

Byron attended elementary school in St. Louis, Missouri; Montgomery, Alabama; and Memphis, Tennessee. He attended middle school in Memphis, Tennessee, and he attended high school in Waco, Texas, and Mission, Texas, graduating from Sharyland High School in 1979. He played football and basketball and participated in FFA, although not successfully since he lost his cow a week after he got it. He was instrumental in determinedly applying for Sharyland High School to create its first ever physics class. His brother Les and his sister Carolyn were his constant companions through many adventures, from skiing and fishing on Lake Martin, Port Mansfield, and Falcon Lake, to working the fields in Lyford, Texas, and many hunting and fishing trips in between. He is remembered for his outgoing personality, his love of storytelling, his wit and intelligence, and for being a good friend who was always up for an adventure.

Byron attended Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, where he earned a Bachelors in Business Administration – Finance, Class of 1983.

Immediately after college, Byron went into financial services and worked for various brokerage firms from 1983-1994, ultimately finishing his career as a private banker and executive director for UBS International from 1994-2007. He was known for his integrity, his work ethic, his wealth of knowledge, and his determination. After retiring from financial services, Byron went into real estate and started his own successful house-flipping business until 2023.

In 1991, he met Danielle Booth whose love of adventure matched his own. They married on December 17, 1994. They lived in Mission, Texas, and San Antonio, Texas, with their two children: Casey, born in 1997, and Mark, born in 1999. In December of 2024, they would have celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. Together they traveled, hiked, camped, skied, kayaked, and scuba dived. Family movie nights, family sports nights, and family game nights were his favorite.

Byron’s pride and joy were his children. He was their biggest (and loudest) cheerleader for their sports, academics, and extracurricular activities. He encouraged, inspired, and challenged his children in every aspect of their lives. He loved to cook for his family and friends and is most well-known for his smoked salmon and barbecue. He could always be counted on to help others in need, give financial or real estate advice, and he loved to fish and hunt. In his free time, he was driven to learn about anything and everything, avidly reading, researching, and figuring out how to do things (a few trips to Home Depot come to mind!).

In October 2022, Byron was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer after the removal of a cancerous tumor from his pancreas. He completed a six-month course of chemo treatments, never complaining and was cancer free until it recurred In February 2023. He “did not go gentle into that good night” (Dylan Thomas). He “fought the good fight”, he “finished the race”, he “kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4: 7-8).

Byron was preceded in death by his parents, Norman and Mary Carolyn Stephens, and his father-in-law, David Booth. He is survived by his wife, Danielle Stephens; his children, Casey and Mark Stephens; his brother Les Stephens; his sister, Carolyn Stephens; his sister-in-law, Raquel Fisher and husband Tracy; his brother-in-law, Billy Booth; his mother-in-law, Rita Booth; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

In accordance with his wishes, visitation will be held at Lux Funeral Home in New Braunfels on June 28th from 3-4 pm, followed by a memorial service at 4 pm. A celebration of life (meal) will take place following the service at 1392 Vicky Ct., New Braunfels, Texas. All are welcome to attend. A private graveside service will be held for family at the historic Dobyville Cemetery in Burnett, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the historic Dobyville Cemetery using the Gofundme https://gofund.me/49e86162.