Silas K. Stephens

Silas (Si) Kenneth Stephens, 91, of Topeka, passed away on Thursday March 4, 2010. He was born January 5, 1919 in Stearnes, KY, the son of Silas Matthew and Lou Vica (Ball) Stephens. He was educated in Kansas City, MO, and moved to San Diego, CA in 1940, where he worked in the aircraft industry as a technical representative attached to the U. S. Air Force. After serving in the US Navy during WWII, he returned to Kansas City and entered the real estate business where career changes brought him to Topeka in 1951 as broker, builder, developer, and owner of the Stephens Company. Retiring in 1980, he pursued a love of personal travel, natural beauty, golf, good friends, illuminating books, and music. He was a natural scholar, a creative writer and innovative real estate developer. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend.

S. K. (Si) married Jane (Wells) Stephens in 1945, she survives along with an accomplished and a loving, most cherished, family: sister: Dorothy Lee Stephens, Topeka; sons: Michael James Stephens, Yukon, OK, Dr. Robert Eric Stephens (Suzanne) Parkville, MO; daughters: Talisa Joy McClain (Roy) Topeka, Janet Lynn Paduh (Ron) San Antonio, TX; grandchildren: Stephanie Anne Hughes (John) Topeka, William Gregory Wright (Lisa) Overland Park, KS, and four great-grandchildren.

According to Si's wishes, cremation is planned and there will be no services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be to the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 SW 10th, Topeka, KS 66604; or Midland Hospice Care, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606.