James "Jim" Lawrence Stephens, of Mineral Wells, passed away Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013. He was born in Mineral Wells, Nov. 25, 1934 to Claude and Rachel Stephens and was married to Helen Gernentz Stephens on Dec. 21, 1965. Jim graduated from Mineral Wells High School in 1953 and attended Texas A&M on a basketball scholarship before transferring to Texas A&I, where he played basketball, and football as well as serving in the ROTC. Jim graduated from A&I in 1958 with a Mechanical Engineering Degree. Following graduation Jim served in the United States Army Signal Corps, also playing basketball and reaching the rank of Second Lieutenant. He worked throughout the states of Texas and Kansas in his career as a Mechanical Engineer in the petroleum refining industry. Retiring in 1997 he and Helen moved back to Mineral Wells where they oversaw the real estate properties of his parents and served as members of the Mineral Wells Heritage Association and also as members of First Baptist Church Mineral Wells. Survivors include his wife Helen; sons James Jr.; Wesley & wife Neena; Keith & wife Leigh, grandson's Jackson & Marley; brother Bill & wife Carol; his beloved Labrador, Shadow; and countless other family and friends who will miss him greatly. Visitation will be Sunday December 15, 2013 at Baum Carlock Bumgardner Funeral home from 6-8PM. Funeral Services will be 2:00pm Monday December 16, 2013 at The First Baptist Church in Mineral Wells. Burial will follow at Woodland Park Cemetery.