Arnold "Dix" Stephens

With deep sorrow, we share the passing of Arnold “Dix” Stephens, who departed this life unexpectedly on May 6, 2025, at the age of 80.

Born in Brooksville, Florida, on October 3, 1944, Dix began living boldly from a young age. At just 17, he joined the United States Navy and proudly served for 20 years, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. As a nuclear engineer, he served on submarines, destroyers, carriers, high speed ships and supported Cobra Judy on Observation Island.

In 1972, he married Judy Stephens, and they spent 33 years together raising their two daughters. After the military, Dix dabbled in various careers, but his heart longed to be a cowboy out West. The family eventually settled in his hometown of Dunnellon, Florida where they built a home on 11 acres and he lived out his Florida cowboy life—complete with horses, cows, chickens, and pigs.

Faith and community were central to Dix’s life. For many years, the Stephens family was actively involved at First Baptist Church of Dunnellon—attending Sunday school, singing in the choir, and leading Vacation Bible School. It was a place where Dix’s steady faith showed up in quiet ways—through service, presence, and devotion.

Dix was also a proud Mason for 58 years, faithfully serving in both Dunnellon and Inglis lodges. He held dear the values of brotherhood, integrity, and service.

His daughters, Shelly and Kari, have vivid memories of their childhood adventures with Dad; from go-kart racing, exploring Wayne Powell's property, years they spent in the Pacific Northwest—either out on the boat in the Puget Sound or up in the mountains chopping firewood, mowing Sateke Village, conversations while riding horseback, and how much he loved holding babies.

Later in life, after he and Judy parted ways, Dix discovered a new rhythm. He developed a deep passion for genealogy, spending countless hours tracing names, dates, and stories, believing that to understand where you’re going, you must know where you came from. He authored several books chronicling our family history and the local roots of Dunnellon and Yankeetown. It was during this season that he met Vivien Waldrop, with whom he shared 12 meaningful years—working the land, traveling the country in their RV, and embracing the beauty of simple days and second chances.

Dix believed in hard work and simple joys. He knew the value of a good story and a quiet moment. His life is a testimony to the goodness of God in the ordinary: handwritten letters, the hum of a tractor, the smell of fresh cut grass and warm pecan pie. And now, having finished his race, we hope he is at peace—in the presence of the One who makes all things new.

He is survived by his daughters, Shelly Pimental and Kari Willis (Greg); his beloved grandchildren Chase Romanini (great-grandchildren Wrin, Casper, and Gavin), Elijah Pimental, Isaac Pimental, Eden Pimental, Wyatt Weiseman, Kati Willis, and Kyle Willis; and his sisters, Ellen Teague (Clayton) David Teague, Dawn Teague Wheeler, Daniel Teague, Dana Teague and Mary Hay (Patrice Hay, Chad Hay).

Memorial services will be held Saturday, July 26,2025 at 10 AM in the Rockwell Cemetery (Dunnellon Memorial Gardens), 10939 SW 210th Avenue, Dunnellon, FL.  The family welcomes your prayers, memories, and kind words during this time of grief and remembrance. And if you find yourself looking up at a big sky or walking through familiar woods, we hope you’ll remember him—and the truth that our stories don’t end here.