Stephen R. Twidwell

Stephen Ray Twidwell, 78, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2025, at Hospice Christopher House in Austin, Texas, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease for more than ten years and three years with dementia.

Stephen was born in Seneca, Kansas, and raised in Frankfort, Kansas, where he developed a lifelong love of nature and science. After graduating from Frankfort High School, he attended Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas, earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. He continued his education at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, where he received his Master’s Degree in Biology. 

Stephen dedicated over 40 years of his life to the State of Texas as an Aquatic Biologist with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and Texas Parks and Wildlife. His work took him across Texas, where he conducted research, collected samples, and worked tirelessly to protect and preserve the state’s natural environment — a legacy that will continue to benefit generations to come. 

Stephen was a wonderful father and grandfather for his two children, Evan and Emily and granddaughter, Sadie. Emily described him as someone who never wanted to sit still — he was always working on something, always active, and always eager to spend time with his children. Weekends were filled with fun outings, bike rides, baseball and softball practice, and delicious meals he cooked with love. He never missed a milestone, capturing every first day of school, first car, college send-off, and new job with his camera — preserving memories was his way of showing how much he cherished his family. 

He encouraged his kids to explore the outdoors, welcomed their friends into their home, and always made sure their friends felt included, even on family vacations. He helped with every move they made, often hunting down furniture on Craigslist and helping set up their new places — always showing his love through acts of care and support. 

Evan described his father as immensely supportive, dedicated, and passionate about his children’s well-being. He was a patient teacher, spending countless hours coaching baseball and golf, passing down skills and life lessons. Stephen also instilled in his children a strong sense of family history, compiling books about their roots and taking them to Kansas every summer to connect with where they came from. Evan especially admired his dad’s self-reflection and his desire to always be the best example he could be. 

Stephen shared a wonderful sense of adventure with his wife, Mary whom he has known for 22 years. Together they explored small towns across Texas, discovered new cities throughout the United States, and enjoyed the turquoise waters of several islands of the Caribbean. He loved trying new foods and experimenting with new recipes, though nothing ever topped his love for Texas BBQ. 

Stephen is preceded in death by his father, Ray Albert Twidwell, and his mother, Stella Mae Twidwell. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Stella Santa Ana-Twidwell; his son, Evan Twidwell (Penny); his daughter, Emily Twidwell; and his beloved granddaughter, Sadie Grace. He is also survived by his brothers, William Twidwell, Kenneth Twidwell, and Ed Twidwell (Nancy); and many cherished nephews, nieces, and great-nephews and nieces. 

Services for Stephen will be held Thursday, July 31, 2025, with Visitation/Viewing and Rosary from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Providence-Jones Funeral Home, 604 State Hwy 95, Elgin, TX 78621. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 1, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 302 W. 11th Street, Elgin, TX 78621. Stephen will be taken home to Frankfort, Kansas for burial at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Building Fund or the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Elgin, which he was a supporter of. 

He will be deeply missed and forever loved.