Thomas Leroy Stephan went home to be with the LORD on February 18, 2019. Born in 1937 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Tom was pre-deceased by parents George Stephan and Adelaide (Stephan) Riehl and spent his early years growing up on their small farm on Center Road outside of Traverse City, Michigan. He attended Traverse City High School, graduating in 1956. In his senior year Tom was captain of the football team at TCHS, president of the Bible Club and was awarded a Scholarship to Tufts University in Massachusetts. After a year in that program, he finished his bachelor's degree at Michigan State University and taught middle school mathematics in Royal Oak, Michigan. Subsequent to teaching, he worked for GM in Pontiac, Michigan for several years. Although it wasn't apparent to Tom or his family, during these early years of employment, he gradually developed Schizophrenia and spent the last years of his life in adult foster homes in Kingsley, Michigan. Although bouts with his illness meant being continually medicated, Tom was, at heart, a gentle soul much loved by family and friends . He leaves a brother, David Stephan (Dianne) and a sister, Jeanne Perin (David) both living in Columbia, Maryland, and a sister, Kathy Ranta (Herbert) of Grand Rapids. The three of us would like to extend loving gratitude to Pam and Dale Benton, owners of the Benton Adult Foster Home in Kingsley, Michigan, where Tom knew devoted and Christlike care. We'd also like to thank John Roeser who lovingly provided guardian services to Tom in the last years of his life. Finally, we extend our sincere appreciation to the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home of Traverse City and especially to director Rick Harkert for their compassionate support as well as professional assistance after Tom's passing.