Major John Eugene Stevens (USAF retired) 88, went to be with the Lord on April 10, 2021 after a brief illness. John was born to John Hosmer Stevens and Mildred McKee Stevens on January 15, 1933 in Mt Vernon, Ohio. He was raised in Bellville, Ohio with his twin sister Joan Stevens Hoff and an older sister Barbara Stevens Jones, who preceded him in death. He attended Bellville High School where he excelled in track, football, basketball, and baseball. John was president of his freshman class and active in Student Council, plays, Chorus and Operetta. After graduating in Spring 1951, John joined the Air Force in September 1951 and completed his basic training at Sampson AFB, Seneca Lake NY. His first assignment was Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, Nevada followed by Tyndall, AFB in Panama City, Florida and Lowry AFB in Denver, Co before attending Officer Candidate School in Harlingen, Texas in 1954. On November 18, 1954 2nd Lieutenant Stevens graduated from Aircraft Observer School at James Connally AFB in Waco Texas. He married Donna Jean Weiss on January 30, 1955 in Bellville, Ohio and they moved to Dow AFB in Bangor Maine for his first assignment as an officer. In September 1955, his squadron moved to Bergstrom AFB in Austin, Texas so they moved and then had their first child, Connie. In 1957 they were transferred to Hunter AFB in Savannah, Georgia where a second daughter, Rebecca, was born. In March 1959, the family of four moved to Castle AFB in Merced, CA so Lieutenant Stevens could attend KC-135 school. Afterwards, they moved to Biggs AFB in El Paso Texas where they stayed five years, John was promoted to Captain and their third daughter, Julie, was born. In December 1964, the squadron moved to Dyess AFB in Abilene, Texas so John and the family moved again. Their 4th child, John Andrew, was born and they stayed there until May 1966 when John was transferred to Kincheloe AFB, near Sault St Marie, Michigan where he was promoted to Major. During this assignment, Major Stevens was deployed to Thailand several times during the Vietnam war. In 1968 and 1969 John and the crew completed many dangerous "push pull" reconnaissance missions over the Ho Chi Minh trail that resulted in a neck injury. He was sent to Clark AFB in the Philippines for surgery and recovery in the winter of 1969. In January 1970 he was assigned to Offutt AFB, Omaha, Nebraska at the Strategic Air Command (SAC) headquarters to be part of Operation Looking Glass, US Flying Command Post. His family joined him in Nebraska in June 1970. In September 1971, the family moved back to Abilene, Texas and after a 20-year career filled with commendations and honors, Major Stevens retired from the USAF in December 1971.

John chose a new career selling real estate and insurance and received his business degree from McMurry college in 1976 and spent his free time playing golf and traveling. He married his current wife, June Stevens, in August 2000 and they divided their time between Bellville and Florida. John was active with the Bellville American Legion Post 535 right up until his death.

John loved his family, friends, his country, the Air Force, his buddies at the Bellville American Legion, cars, golf, water sports, having fun, playing cards, talking on the phone and visiting and helping all of his friends and relatives.

John is survived by his current wife June, his first wife, Donna Weiss Stevens, his daughters, Connie Prestridge (Andy), Rebecca Dahlquist (Dean), Julie Sparks (Tom) his son, Andy Stevens, ten grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren as well as several nephews and a niece. He will be greatly missed!

A military memorial service was held on April 17, 2021 in Bellville, Ohio at the American Legion pavilion and a full military service and burial will be held in Abilene, Texas in May 2021.