Alex Stephens Memorial Family Fund
Donation protected
This page is set up for the family of our friend and fellow Scout, Alex Stephens.
Alex passed away the evening of Wednesday, January 9th at the age of 21 from an undiagnosed congenital vascular malformation. His mom went to wake him Thursday morning and he had passed away in his sleep. No one, including Alex, would have ever known about this condition without a brain scan. We are all shocked by his sudden passing.
Alex was a student at Polk State and worked as an Operations Lead at Kohl’s in Lakeland. Alex was an avid bowler from a young age and loved to go SCUBA diving. Wherever he went, he always had a camera on hand to practice his photography skills.
Leaving Tracks
Alex was an Eagle Scout, Vigil Order of the Arrow member, Sea Scout, and Venturer, NYLT staffer, STEM-NOVA Director at Camp La-No-Che, and past Council VOA President. Just in the Order of the Arrow, Alex served as Chapter Chief, Lodge Webmaster, Lodge Secretary, and on multiple committees. He was an active participant and leader in all areas of Scouting and touched the lives of hundreds of people through Scouting. Alex exemplified the Scout Law's points of being Helpful, Friendly, and Cheerful and was a model of servant leadership.
"No one can pass through life, any more than he can pass through a bit of country, without leaving tracks behind, and those tracks may often be helpful to those coming after him in finding their way."
- Lord Robert Baden-Powell, Founder of Scouting
Alex exemplified the Scout Law and was a model of servant leadership. He has left a legacy that will help countless others find their way through life. His smile and laugh will always be remembered.
Service
Alex's Celebration of Life will be held January 19, 2019 11:00 AM at Southside Baptist Church in Lakeland, Florida. More details available here . A post-memorial reception will be held at St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Lakeland after the service around 2:00.
All who knew Alex are welcome to attend both events. Scouts are invited to wear their field uniform ("Class A") to both events. In lieu of flowers, attendees are asked to make a donation in Alex Stephen's name to the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council. For more information, contact the council here.
How Funds Will Be Used
All donations and proceeds will go directly to Alex's mother, Joy, to help pay for service expenses. If we are fortunate enough to raise more money then needed for service expenses, then all remaining funds will go to the family to help during this difficult time. GoFundMe collects only a transaction fee of under 3% on donations. If you'd like to donate directly, Alex’s Sea Scout Ship will be coordinating those funds. Details will be posted here.
When Are Funds Needed
We would like to raise as much funds as possible for the family ASAP to help with service expenses. It takes 3-5 days to get GoFundMe donations out and with the service just days away your help is urgently appreciated.
Organizer Information
My name is Gregg Hilferding. I am just one of the many adult volunteers in Scouting who had the honor to advise, mentor, and coach Alex as he became the person we all love. At the request of close family friends, I have put up this GoFundMe page as a means to collect funds for the family online. This page provides three different ways to give to honor Alex’s life and support Alex’s family.
I encourage you to please support the family of this Scout who has gone home too early. Alex served others his entire life and leaves behind a family still reeling from this loss. Please do what you can to help. Thank you!
Alex passed away the evening of Wednesday, January 9th at the age of 21 from an undiagnosed congenital vascular malformation. His mom went to wake him Thursday morning and he had passed away in his sleep. No one, including Alex, would have ever known about this condition without a brain scan. We are all shocked by his sudden passing.
Alex was a student at Polk State and worked as an Operations Lead at Kohl’s in Lakeland. Alex was an avid bowler from a young age and loved to go SCUBA diving. Wherever he went, he always had a camera on hand to practice his photography skills.
Leaving Tracks
Alex was an Eagle Scout, Vigil Order of the Arrow member, Sea Scout, and Venturer, NYLT staffer, STEM-NOVA Director at Camp La-No-Che, and past Council VOA President. Just in the Order of the Arrow, Alex served as Chapter Chief, Lodge Webmaster, Lodge Secretary, and on multiple committees. He was an active participant and leader in all areas of Scouting and touched the lives of hundreds of people through Scouting. Alex exemplified the Scout Law's points of being Helpful, Friendly, and Cheerful and was a model of servant leadership.
"No one can pass through life, any more than he can pass through a bit of country, without leaving tracks behind, and those tracks may often be helpful to those coming after him in finding their way."
- Lord Robert Baden-Powell, Founder of Scouting
Alex exemplified the Scout Law and was a model of servant leadership. He has left a legacy that will help countless others find their way through life. His smile and laugh will always be remembered.
Service
Alex's Celebration of Life will be held January 19, 2019 11:00 AM at Southside Baptist Church in Lakeland, Florida. More details available here . A post-memorial reception will be held at St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Lakeland after the service around 2:00.
All who knew Alex are welcome to attend both events. Scouts are invited to wear their field uniform ("Class A") to both events. In lieu of flowers, attendees are asked to make a donation in Alex Stephen's name to the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council. For more information, contact the council here.
How Funds Will Be Used
All donations and proceeds will go directly to Alex's mother, Joy, to help pay for service expenses. If we are fortunate enough to raise more money then needed for service expenses, then all remaining funds will go to the family to help during this difficult time. GoFundMe collects only a transaction fee of under 3% on donations. If you'd like to donate directly, Alex’s Sea Scout Ship will be coordinating those funds. Details will be posted here.
When Are Funds Needed
We would like to raise as much funds as possible for the family ASAP to help with service expenses. It takes 3-5 days to get GoFundMe donations out and with the service just days away your help is urgently appreciated.
Organizer Information
My name is Gregg Hilferding. I am just one of the many adult volunteers in Scouting who had the honor to advise, mentor, and coach Alex as he became the person we all love. At the request of close family friends, I have put up this GoFundMe page as a means to collect funds for the family online. This page provides three different ways to give to honor Alex’s life and support Alex’s family.
I encourage you to please support the family of this Scout who has gone home too early. Alex served others his entire life and leaves behind a family still reeling from this loss. Please do what you can to help. Thank you!
Organizer and beneficiary
Gregg Hilferding
Organizer
Lakeland, FL
Joy Stephens
Beneficiary
