Donald Eads Stevenson

His father, Homer, was a graduate of Texas A & M and served in the Army Corps of Engineers during the Second World War. Before and after his service, Homer worked as a civil engineer throughout Texas, Mexico and South America.

Don followed his father in serving his country during World War II by joining the Navy's V12 program which allowed high school seniors to qualify for the Navy's officers training program, at age 17. He completed Midshipman's School, the Navy's equivalent of Officer's Candidate School, and rose to the rank of Lieutenant J. G. He commanded a ship in General McArthur's fleet in the second Philippines campaign and was preparing for a potential invasion of Japan when the war came to an end. He personified the Greatest Generation.

After his service in the Navy, Don enrolled at the University of Texas. He married Eva Morrison, from Austin, in 1947. In August 1948 (during exams) his first son, Michael Lee, was born.

Following graduation form U.T., Don went to work for Swift and Company as a salesman, enjoying a gift for sales throughout his professional career. He moved the family from Austin to Houston and in 1954, his second son, Scott MacGreagor was born. In 1957 he was transferred to Charlotte and joined Westminster Presbyterian Church, led by Howard Chadwick, father and mentor to local pastor, David Chadwick.

In 1963 Don, along with Lee Smith of Charlotte, founded Smith and Stevenson, a manufacturer's representative agency. He was president and CEO for many years, remaining active until his retirement in 1995. Coincidentally, he spent his last evening in this world with 100+ friends and family celebrating the 60th year of the company he co-founded.

In the early 1980s Don met Jean Morris Dresser, also from Texas, and they were married in 1985 in her native home of San Antonio. She remained his dedicated, loving and caring soulmate for the remainder of his life. Jean's daughter, Robin, also became Don's daughter. Don and Jean loved the mountains of North Carolina and settled there, as well as their ranch home in the Texas hill country, and home in Charlotte, following his retirement.

Don was an avid skier, and traveled the world with a cadre of close friends skiing the slopes of North America, with Jean, family, and friends, with a particular fondness for Three Rivers Ranch in Warm River, Idaho.

Don passed peacefully at his home in Charlotte, NC on Sunday, March 12, 2023. He is survived by his adoring wife Jean; children, Michael, Scott and Robin, their spouses, Patti, Stacy and Thom; as well as six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Don now rests with our Lord, and is greatly missed by his immediate family, his Smith and Stevenson family, and his many friends. He never met a stranger, and was and always will be, beloved by all who were fortunate enough to know him.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com for the Stevenson family.