Sgt. John "Scott" Stephens

Sgt. John Scott Stephens, 41, formerly of La Grand, died March 15 in Tikrit, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his patrol came under attack.

Known as Scott, Sgt. Stephens was born May 16, 1965, to Gene and Jo Stephens in Prineville. He graduated from La Grande High School in 1983. While in high school he played baseball and football and competed as a wrestler and a swimmer.

Growing up, he enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping and beating his sister at water-skiing.

After attending college, he joined the Army as a medic in 1985. On Aug. 11, 1988, he married his wife, Beatte, in Germany a, and they had three children, Brian, Cheryl and Darren.

Sgt. Stephens coached baseball at many of the bases where he was stationed, and in Germany led the Army team to the European championship.

He loved baseball, working with children, teaching and learning. He earned a degree in teaching and an associate's degree in computer science while in the Army. He planned to come back to La Grande to get his master's at Eastern Oregon University when he retired.

Survivors include his wife, Bea; children and their spouses, Brian and Klylie Reddington of Fort Rucker, Ala., Cheryl and Brian Ellis of Fort Bragg, N.C., and Darren Stephens of Germany; three grandchildren; parents Gene and Jo Stephens of La Grande; sister, Michelle Flowers of Hermiston; grandmother, Gayle Stephens of La Grand; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, niece and nephews.