Gary S. Stephens, 72, of Waterford, Michigan, passed away on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. Gary was born in 1951 to Theodore and Winnie Stephens of Hazel Park, Michigan, and was the youngest of 6 children. Raised in a cozy bungalow, he was never unsupervised for long, especially with his three loving and attentive older sisters tasked with watching his every move. Regardless, he managed to rope his two brothers into helping him live a childhood full of wonderful shenanigans and adventure, which assuredly shaped him into the legendary man loved by many. After graduating from Hazel Park High in 1969, Gary studied and trained to become an electrician, completing his apprenticeship in 1978. He spent most of his career working for Motor City Electric and was known for his reliability, unmatchable skills, organization, and questionable humor. Gary had a tremendous level of pride in his work and loved to point out which highway lights he helped install, and which Detroit plants he kept running, every single time his family drove past those structures. In his free time, Gary fancied himself a golfer and bowler. He did win a few participation trophies along the way. Thankfully he won a greater number of friends in the process. As fantastic an electrician and okay a golfer as Gary was, he was an even better husband, father, and grandfather. After swooning for Gary at the local Burger King, his future bride, Val, asked him on a biking date; Gary immediately accepted, but he didn't own a bike, so he hurriedly purchased a bicycle that evening to impress his lady. Luckily the ploy worked as Gary and Val later married in a sweet backyard ceremony, and shortly after welcomed two baby girls to complete their family. Gary is survived by his beautiful bride, Valerie, his two daughters, Elizabeth and Jennifer (Reed), and his five grandchildren, Sierra, Karlee, Addison, Molly, and Maxwell. He is also survived by a plethora of friends, colleagues, and probably a few enemies. In lieu of a funeral, a celebration of life will be planned and hosted at a future undetermined time and location. In the words of the great Gary Stephens about life in general, "it's great to have been seen."

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