At that time, he distributed Gulf Solar Heating Oil to homes primarily on the North and West sides of Hamilton, Ohio and in the Oxford, Ohio area - as well as diesel and gasoline to farmers.

Richard purchased his first gasoline retail facility and car wash in Oxford, Ohio in 1969 while continuing to supply heating oil, gasoline, and diesel. 

In 1972, he built his first “ground up” retail gasoline facility and car wash in Hamilton, Ohio where his son, Tom Stephenson began his career in the petroleum industry while attending Taft High School.

Tom Stephenson then went on to Miami University where he graduated in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing Management.  Seven days after graduation, Tom married his fiancé, Susan, and began working at R. J. Stephenson Inc. full time.

On January 1, 1992, Tom and Susan purchased R. J. Stephenson, Inc. and subsequently changed the name of the company to Stephenson Oil Company. 

Both Tom and R.J. have continued to distribute heating oil, gasoline and diesel to homes and farms. They also expanded into the retail gasoline business, as well as wholesale and retail bulk and packaged lubricants. 

Over the years, Stephenson Oil Company has distributed gasoline under the brand names of Gulf Oil, Chevron, Ashland, and is currently affiliated with Marathon Petroleum in Butler and Hamilton Counties of Ohio.