James E. Stevens died Friday, March 30, 2012 after a long battle with MDS and leukemia. He was 76 years old.
Jim was born June 20, 1935 in North Industry, Ohio, to Edna and Willard Stevens. Upon graduation from high school, he entered the Air Force and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant in charge of the jet test stand. He entered the field of finance in 1958. When his enlistment was up in February 1958, he attended Mansfield Business School and entered the field of finance. Jim was past Master of Crusader of the 722 Masonic Lodge in Newark, Ohio; a member of the American Legion Post 44 of Gulf Shores; and a member of the Elks Lodge 2782 in Foley.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Phyllis; daughter, Robin (Ken) LaFollette; sons, James R. Stevens and Russell (Cindy) Stevens; five grandchildren, Monica Young, Angela, Tiffany, Russell, and Rachel Stevens; greatgranddaughter, Joselyn Stevens; brother, Willie (Christa) Stevens, Mansfield, Ohio; and sister, Wanda Garis, Dothan. Jim was a very quiet person and will always be remembered by his often-quoted saying, “Man Never Learns Anything by Talking.”
The family requests any memorials contributions be made to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. There will be a private family memorial at a later date.
Cremation arrangements by Pine Rest Funeral Home, Foley.
