Services to celebrate the disciple of The Lord, Jasper J. “Steve” Stevens, 85 of Athens are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at First United Methodist Church with Dr. Faulk Landrum officiating.
Steve died Friday, June 12, 2015 in Athens.
He was born July 9, 2015 in Clovis, New Mexico to Charles and Una Jones Stevens. The family moved to Pine Grove during the 1930’s. Steve began his education at Pine Grove School and graduated from Athens High School in 1947. After graduation, Steve hitchhiked to Houston with $20 and went to work as an apprentice for Southern Pacific Railroad. During his stay in Houston he met lifelong friends Jim and Bernice Goodwin. In September 1950 after the outbreak of the Korean conflict, Steve volunteered to serve our country in the United States Navy. He served as a machinist on the USS Tawasa where he met another lifelong friend Robert Brown, known as “Uncle Bob” in the Stevens house. Upon discharge from the Navy Steve began his studies at Texas A & M College. One of his proudest accomplishments was graduating from Texas A & M in 1958. During his five years in College Station Steve met another one of his lifelong friends Dr. Carl Anderson. The two Texas boys set off to LSU shortly after graduation to further their education.
In Baton Rouge they both met their Louisiana-born wives at a Sunday school class named “The Half Past Niners.” Steve married Evelyn Lucy Hughes April 9, 1960. Post graduate work ceased for Steve and he began his long and memorable career selling heavy equipment for Caterpillar, Lima and Clark Equipment. Steve and Evelyn were blessed with two children Martha and Sam while living in Lafayette, Louisiana. The family moved to Athens in 1970. In 1980 when Clark Equipment closed their truck crane factory, Steve retired from heavy equipment sales and achieved a lifelong dream of being a full time cattle rancher. From early childhood at Virginia Hill Baptist Church to First United Methodist Church Baton Rouge and lastly First United Methodist Church in Athens church and faith were an integral part of Steve’s life. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Athens Lodge, No 165, A.F. and A.M. Evelyn and Steve were some of the founding members of the FUMC Athens’ Apostles Sunday school class. This group was an integral part of his life along with his friends from Methodist Men. Steve loved to play dominoes especially with his Pine Grove dominoes group. Thank you to Van Pierce for providing a venue for their weekly meetings.
Steve is preceded in death by his parents, sister Marion Lawrence, brothers Dr. Charles R. Stevens and Dr. William R. Stevens.
Survivors include his wife Evelyn Hughes Stevens; daughter Martha Bergin and husband Patrick; son Samuel Stevens; grandchild Emily Bergin; sister Martha Rose Williams and husband Dr. Charlie D. Williams; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Dale Eaux, Kim Farguson, Bruce Morris, Van Pierce, Mike Mitchell, Charles Cranfill.
Honorary pallbearers will be Royce Carter, Lester Kinabrew, Jimmy Mitchell, Dwayne Hallmark, Floyd Blount and the distinguished United Methodist Men Group.
Visitation will be 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to First United Methodist Church, 225 Lovers Lane, Athens,Texas 75758 or American Diabetes Association, P O Box 11454, Alexandria, Virginia 22312.
You may leave a message of condolence or light a memorial candle for the family at www.carroll-lehr.com.