George Gayle Stephens

1928 - 2014

George Gayle Stephens obituary, 1928-2014, Birmingham, AL

FUNERAL HOME

Johns-Ridouts Southside Chapel

2116 University Blvd

Birmingham, Alabama

George Stephens Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Feb. 21, 2014.

Arrangements under the direction of Johns-Ridout's Funeral Parlors, Birmingham, AL.

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April 26, 2018

Acquaintance

Wanda Huff

fantastic doctor and humanitarian!

February 28, 2014

S Cathcart

On behalf of my family, thank you all for sharing such kind words and stories about my grandfather. He truly was a great man and doctor and will be truly missed.

February 26, 2014

Jan Lenz

We loved Dr. Stephens as students at the UAB School of Optometry. He was a wonderful teacher and doctor to us all. Condolences to his family.

February 26, 2014

Tricia Collins Steele

We are fortunate that Dr. Stephens touched so many people in his life....the world is a better place for his influences.

February 26, 2014

Jay Lee

In 2012, I had the privilege of coaxing Dr. G. Gayle Stephens to deliver the plenary speech at the AAFP National Conference of Special Constituencies. He agreed to speak at our meeting after grilling me via telephone for nearly two hours on why I believed his perspective mattered. Naturally, I connected his Family Medicine as Counterculture work to today's Family Medicine Revolution social media movement. After his speech, he said to me: "Thanks for giving me hope about the future."

As one of our specialty's pioneers, Dr. Stephens was a Force for Family Medicine and will be missed deeply by the #FMRevolution movement. We mustn't forget his lasting message: Give a damn about your patient. Be there for your patient. Know your job versus your work. We will continue the work that he started.

Posted by Jay Lee

February 25, 2014

Posted by

February 25, 2014

Linda Niebauer

What a lovely gentleman and a scholar. For decades I only knew Gayle through his writings and reputation. Two years ago I finally had the good fortune to meet him in person when he graced our University of Colorado School of Medicine campus as a Levitt lecturer. What a gem! I will always cherish our time together.

Posted by Linda Niebauer

February 25, 2014

Mark Ryan

Dr. Stephens and I met only once, briefly, but his influence, thoughtfulness, and patient-centeredness has played a major role in helping define the physician I hope to be in my career.

Thanks for all he did.

Condolences to his family and friends.

February 25, 2014

Kai Rinkowski

I had the good fortune to be an optometry student at UABSO when Dr. Stephens taught the physical diagnosis course. Dr. Stephens was an outstanding educator, physician and man. Dr. Stephens will live on in all of us.

February 24, 2014

What a much better world this is with Uncle Gayle having been a part of it. I will miss you so much. I loved you and love your family very much. Lucas

February 24, 2014

Brian Spittle

Tremendously knowledgeable, patient, kind, and earnest. Pitting edema!

February 24, 2014

Dr. Aubrey Odom

At just the right time when the profession of optometry was changing so much Dr. Stephens imparted the confidence we needed as future doctors to do our best for the patient based on how he taught us to care for people. His teaching made all the difference. We sincerely thank you.

February 24, 2014

Brian Mahalak

Thank you Dr. Stephens. I was always impressed by your kindness, your generosity with your time and advice, and your depth of knowledge. My thoughts are with your family.

February 24, 2014

I was fortunate to be on faculty at UAB SO with Gayle. He taught me how to be a better doctor. I still remember one day when he taught me the importance of the human touch delivered by the doctor. From that moment forward, I employed his grace in applying that principle. Great people leave great memories and great lessons. What a remarkable mark left on the world.

Larry Alexander, McKinney Texas

February 24, 2014

Rod and Debi Nowakowski

Gayle was the quintessential physician and hundreds of our UAB Optometry students benefitted from his teaching and care giving over 20 years. Every year, 2 or 3 weeks into the course in Physical Diagnosis, students would begin to feel comfortable around him and start seeking his advice on personal or family medical issues and he was always willing to listen and share. His touch was that of a true healer and conveyed an amazing sense of warmth and positivity. To me he was teacher, mentor, friend, physician and colleague. His intellect, education and spirituality were boundless and it was humbling to converse with him … until he began his piano lessons and I was finally able to teach him something - music theory - possibly the only thing he did not know. Debi and I offer heartfelt condolences to EJ and all the family. We have faith that a perpetual light will shine upon him and that he will rest in peace forever … unless God gets sick, in which case we know Gayle will get the call!

Posted by Rod and Debi Nowakowski

February 23, 2014

Melanie Sivley

As a student, I was privileged to have Dr. Stephens as an instructor in the optometry Physical Diagnosis course, and as a colleague years later in the same course. His gift and passion for teaching were as apparent in recent years as they were in 1988. Dr. Stephens emphasized the importance of treating the whole person, not just the condition. He was always patient and kind, and his superb skills and anecdotes on subjects from goiters to arthritis made learning fun. Much learning and laughter took place through the years. Thank you, Dr. Stephens, for your instruction and mentorship; you taught us well.

February 23, 2014

Mary Kay Dollarhide

Dear Mrs. Stephens I will pray for you
and all your children hoping that this time won't be too sad and maybe soon a time of fond memories. Dr. Stephens will always be a special person in my life. As a teenager he always had little pieces of wisdom for me to try and figure out. He would help me when he thought I needed it, take me on family skiing vacations, and always made me feel welcomed in his home. Dr. Stephens will be very missed.

February 23, 2014

Dr. Laurie Hoffman

My prayers are with the Stephens family during this difficult time. I will always have fond memories of Dr. Stephens teaching us in Optometry school. His passion and dedication was evident in all he did. He was truly an inspiration!

February 23, 2014

Bob Green

E J, as you walk the lonely valley without Gayle, I pray peace and comfort for some of your support. Many fond memories of you and Gayle. Blessings.

February 23, 2014

Marsha Snow

I was fortunate to have Dr. Stephens as a professor in the optometry school and then teach alongside him later. He spent just as much time teaching as he did attending to students' various ailments! He was an amazing doctor, teacher, mentor, and friend. I especially enjoyed laughing with him and will miss him. My prayers are with you all.

February 23, 2014

Frank Barnard

Dear Stephens family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of loss. I wish I could be there on Wednesday to celebrate Dr. Stephens' life with the family.

February 23, 2014

Mike Harrington

Gayle was a true friend, colleague, and mentor. I had the privilege of working with him daily for many years. He inspired us and challenged us to be "with the patient" and "for the patient" in all that we did. There was no greater physician, counselor, writer or teacher than Gayle. I see his picture every day ... I will remember him every day ... I will strive to emulate him every day. God Bless and Godspeed.

February 22, 2014

A great, caring physician (once my own), Gayle wrote, "The Intellectual Basis of Family Practice," still a great book that needs to receive more attention. He co-created a great family and served Birmingham/Alabama/UAB well. - Greg Pence

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