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Dr. Stephen Radley Close, devoted husband and loving father, passed away at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Treatment Center in New York City, New York, at the age of 70.
Stephen was born on April 25, 1948, in Joplin, MO, to Maxwell Otis Close and Roselyn Ruth (Radley) Close.
He married Nancy Catherine (Turvey) Close October 27, 1979, with whom he had three daughters, Sarah, Abbey, and Elizabeth.
Stephen earned a B.S. of Chemical Engineering in 1970 from the University of Missouri at Rolla, an M.S. in psychology in 1974, from Oklahoma State University, and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 1978, also from OSU.
His calm demeanor and analytical mind made him especially well suited to his career as a licensed clinical psychologist. He maintained a successful private practice focusing on the assessment of intellectual and emotional functioning and the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, especially for children and adolescents, for over four decades, primarily in Enid and Stillwater.
Over the course of his career, Stephen held positions as the director of the Bethany Guidance Center and the director of the Adolescent Unit at Meadowlake Hospital in Enid. He was a consultant to the Oklahoma State Department of Public Health, the Central Oklahoma Medical Group, the Rehabilitation Unit at St. Mary's Hospital in Enid, St. Mary's Center for Rehabilitation, and Youth and Family Services.
He was twice appointed by Oklahoma governors to the State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, serving as vice-chairperson from 1987-1989 and chairperson from 1999-2003. He also served as an expert witness for numerous local, state, and federal trials.
A talented trumpet player, Stephen loved jazz and owned an enormous music collection, which he spent hours listening to in the acoustically optimized living room that he designed himself. He drove small, sporty cars and appreciated good design and high quality in everything from computers to coffee makers.
He was extremely proud of his three daughters, and nothing gave him more joy than being their father. He was lucky enough to have been married to the love of his life, Nancy, for 38 years, and those who were lucky enough to know him will certainly remember his encyclopedic knowledge, dry wit, infectious smile, and genuine kindness.
Stephen is survived by his wife, Nancy; daughters, Sarah, Abbey, and Elizabeth; mother, Roselyn; sister-in-law, Elaine Close Barnhill; and 14 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Maxwell, and his brother Lynn.
A memorial service is 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 11, 2018, Anderson-Burris Funeral Home, 3002 N. Van Buren St., Enid.
In lieu of flowers, a tribute donation may be made in the name of Stephen R. Close to Music And Youth at www.MusicAndYouth.org/Donate, national non-profit that creates accessible, sustainable, high quality music programs so every young person can experience the magic of music.
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