Mark Cory Stephens
11/23/1961 - 05/14/2023
Mesa, AZ
Mark “Cory” Stephens, 61, passed away on Sunday, May 14 in Mesa, Arizona, due to injuries resulting from a motorcycle accident caused by a distracted driver.
Cory was born on November 23, 1961, in Dallas, Texas. He was a prodigious musician who could play any instrument the moment he picked it up. However, string bass was his true love. He played in several jazz and big band music groups while in high school until the end of his life, as well as playing aboard several international cruise ships.
He attended Michigan’s prestigious Interlochen Music Camp during the summer of 1975, and graduated from Nacogdoches High School in Texas in 1980. Cory attended Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches on a full music scholarship.
Cory mastered musical instrument repair, and built and owned instrument repair companies in Texas, Nevada, and Arizona. He also thrived as a long haul truck driver for several companies, and thoroughly enjoyed his last job hauling sensitive materials between Arizona and California.
He was an excellent equestrian who loved riding his Arabian horse Levi, and found peace in being off the grid, traveling, and facing the winds.
Cory was a lifelong exceptional motorcyclist who took his responsibilities on the road very seriously. He was a member of the Iron Butt Association (IBA), a US-based organization dedicated to safe long-distance motorcycle riding with a membership of over 75,000 people.
Cory is survived by his daughter Heather Stephens-Ritter, her husband Aaron, and her three children, Aaric, Devyn, and Ryan of New Braunfels, Texas; as well as his son, Anthony Guerra of Arizona and his two children, Nayelly and Adam of Laredo, Texas.
Additionally, Cory is survived by his older brother James Stephens and his wife Cinda of Frisco, Texas, and younger sister Laura Jane Stephens and her husband Andrew Bevan of Annapolis, Maryland.
Cory is also survived by his constant companion Rusty, a certified service dog, who has found a beautiful new life with Cory’s daughter Heather and her family.
Cory was preceded in death by his parents, James “Jim” and Carol Stephens of Harlingen and Nacogdoches, Texas.
A memorial motorcycle ride was held on Sunday, May 21, 2023.
Special thanks to the Good Life RV Park in Mesa, Arizona as well as the Detectives of the Vehicular Crimes Unit/Mesa Police Department.
Cremation services were provided by Angels Cremation and Burial of Mesa, Arizona.
Cory was born on November 23, 1961, in Dallas, Texas. He was a prodigious musician who could play any instrument the moment he picked it up. However, string bass was his true love. He played in several jazz and big band music groups while in high school until the end of his life, as well as playing aboard several international cruise ships.
He attended Michigan’s prestigious Interlochen Music Camp during the summer of 1975, and graduated from Nacogdoches High School in Texas in 1980. Cory attended Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches on a full music scholarship.
Cory mastered musical instrument repair, and built and owned instrument repair companies in Texas, Nevada, and Arizona. He also thrived as a long haul truck driver for several companies, and thoroughly enjoyed his last job hauling sensitive materials between Arizona and California.
He was an excellent equestrian who loved riding his Arabian horse Levi, and found peace in being off the grid, traveling, and facing the winds.
Cory was a lifelong exceptional motorcyclist who took his responsibilities on the road very seriously. He was a member of the Iron Butt Association (IBA), a US-based organization dedicated to safe long-distance motorcycle riding with a membership of over 75,000 people.
Cory is survived by his daughter Heather Stephens-Ritter, her husband Aaron, and her three children, Aaric, Devyn, and Ryan of New Braunfels, Texas; as well as his son, Anthony Guerra of Arizona and his two children, Nayelly and Adam of Laredo, Texas.
Additionally, Cory is survived by his older brother James Stephens and his wife Cinda of Frisco, Texas, and younger sister Laura Jane Stephens and her husband Andrew Bevan of Annapolis, Maryland.
Cory is also survived by his constant companion Rusty, a certified service dog, who has found a beautiful new life with Cory’s daughter Heather and her family.
Cory was preceded in death by his parents, James “Jim” and Carol Stephens of Harlingen and Nacogdoches, Texas.
A memorial motorcycle ride was held on Sunday, May 21, 2023.
Special thanks to the Good Life RV Park in Mesa, Arizona as well as the Detectives of the Vehicular Crimes Unit/Mesa Police Department.
Cremation services were provided by Angels Cremation and Burial of Mesa, Arizona.
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