In Loving Memory

John Scott Stephen, beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on Monday, October 19, 2026, at the age of 34.

Born in Valdosta, Georgia, to Randy and Debbie Stephen, John was the fifth of eight children. From the day he was born, his mother affectionately called him her "Angel Baby," a name that stayed with him throughout his life. Known throughout the family as John John, John Boy, and Johnny Boy, he held a cherished and irreplaceable place among his seven siblings.

John possessed a rare combination of extraordinary intelligence, boundless imagination, and genuine tenderness toward others. A gifted creative and deep thinker, he had an uncommon capacity for wonder. He saw beauty and meaning in things others might overlook, finding delight in both the smallest details of everyday life and the grandest questions of the human experience. He was poetic in his thinking, curious, and thoughtful in the way he engaged with the world. He could move effortlessly from a profound conversation about life to a perfectly timed movie quote or an unexpected joke that left everyone laughing.

John's creativity and curiosity were evident throughout his life. He loved literature and storytelling, finding delight in the worlds of Sherlock Holmes, The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Winnie-the-Pooh. He wrote short stories, played the piano, conquered worthy opponents over chess, and was a talented graphic designer. As a child, he performed in The Nutcracker and other dance productions alongside his sister Kathryn. More recently, he also found comfort and joy in his new dog, Piper.

A runner since his high school years, he went on to complete a half marathon and enjoyed everything from pickleball and tennis to swimming and CrossFit with his beloved community of friends.

Fluent in French, John was a world traveler who enjoyed Europe, particularly Paris, and treasured opportunities to explore beauty, history, and culture, including the many travel adventures shared with his sister Alison.

John attended Valdosta State University and Belhaven College in Mississippi. His gifts for language, communication, and thoughtful observation led him into a career in journalism and, ultimately, to his work with NASA.

John joined the NASA Astronaut Office in 2019 as a Virtual Appearance Specialist. In this role, John was responsible for coordinating remote astronaut appearances, from conception to completion, building relationships with the hosts and organizations, and helping astronauts develop their presentations. John also created and maintained a studio called the AVATAR, providing astronauts' video outreach and interviews with high quality and engaging visuals. During the COVID pandemic, John coordinated nearly 400 virtual appearances in less than a year. For this work, he received NASA's Trailblazer Award in 2022. This award is given to early-career employees for exceptional potential, creativity, and leadership.

John most recently served as the NASA Astronaut Office Imagery Lead, reviewing thousands of photos from human spaceflight missions in a trusted role that protects astronauts and their families. He worked around the clock during the Artemis II mission, and was among the first humans to see their images from the Moon. For this work, John received NASA's Superior Accomplishment Award in 2026. Additionally, John organized Crew Choice events for astronauts on board the International Space Station to speak with groups especially meaningful to them. Wide-reaching events like this often required months of coordination, with organizations like St Jude's Children's Hospital, Boston Symphony, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, MIT, US Naval Academy, Mass General Brigham Hospital, and many others. John also went above and beyond the scope of his job, trusted to assist the Astronaut Appearances Office Social Media Lead, helping crew share stories, videos, and photos from orbit on multiple platforms, and was among a small team honored with the globally-recognized Webby Award as a 2026 People's Voice Winner.

For all his gifts and accomplishments, what distinguished John most was the way he loved people. John brought a particular kind of wonder, warmth, and wit into the lives of those who knew him. He was brilliant and humble, thoughtful and hilarious, imaginative and deeply kind. He was an exceptionally hard worker and dedicated himself fully to the responsibilities entrusted to him. Yet he was never too busy to make time for the person in front of him. He listened with genuine interest, welcomed others with openness, and had a beautiful way of making people feel known, valued, and seen. Whether among family, friends, or colleagues, he offered both the depth of meaningful conversation and the joy of laughter.

John was especially beloved by his many nieces and nephews. To them, he was not only Uncle John but also, through an ever-growing collection of playful nicknames, Uncle Frohn, Buncle Bon, Uncle Juan, and many other names born of their shared humor and affection. He delighted in their imaginations, welcomed their silliness, and shared in the joy of being together.

Throughout his life, John was drawn to goodness, beauty, and truth, and professed faith in Jesus Christ. He was an active member of City Church in Houston, TX, where he served on the media team, contributing graphic design. The heart of John's faith is best expressed in his own words, penned in a personal journal:

“...[He is] my God named Jesus, who is the faithful and kind orchestrator of it all…my adventures, sorrows, joys, victories and losses, the full spectrum of a life worth living.”

John is survived by his loving parents, Randy and Debbie Stephen; his seven siblings and their families: Kathryn and Andrew Sawyer, and their children, Isaiah, Hannah, and Rachel; Josiah and Becky Stephen, and their children, Logan, Benaniah, Lincoln, Savannah, and Nathan; Ashley Stephen and her daughter, Ellie; Daniel and Erica Stephen, and their children, Everett, Millie, and Lydia; Brett and Jane Stephen, who are expecting a child; Avery and Brooke Stephen; and Alison Stephen.

As his family grieves his sudden passing, we hold fast to the hope we have in Christ. We give thanks for John's life, for the privilege of loving him and being loved by him, and for the many ways his life has marked our own. His absence is immeasurable, but the goodness, beauty, and truth he so earnestly sought—and encouraged others to seek—will remain part of his enduring legacy. We wait, eagerly, until Heaven.

“Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.” -Micah 7:7 "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." -John 6:68

Celebration of Life

A Celebration of Life honoring John will be held on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at City Church Houston, 201 East 9th Street, Houston, Texas.

Family, friends, and all whose lives were touched by John are invited to gather in remembrance and gratitude for his life.

In lieu of flowers Please consider a contribution to Honoring John's Life: A Family Memorial Fund.

John's passing was sudden and unexpected, and there are many immediate and ongoing expenses to navigate. Any donations received will help cover funeral expenses, family travel, and other costs associated with his passing and estate.

We are deeply grateful for the many people who have surrounded our family during this time of grief. Words cannot adequately express our gratitude for the love, kindness, generosity, and care you have shown us. Thank you for walking this road alongside our family. Link to donate: Life of John Stephen