Charles H. Stevens Jr.

Charles Henry Stevens, Jr., a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and cousin,passed away on May 28, 2023, from complications related to pancreatic cancer. A long-time resident ofGaithersburg, Maryland, Chuck was born in Medford, Massachusetts on February 19, 1945. Hegraduated from Stoneham High School in 1963, as captain of the football team, and served as a lifeguardon Cape Cod for many years. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from MerrimackCollege in 1967 – putting himself through college, and he studied Computer Science at the University ofMaryland at College Park in a graduate school program.

Chuck joined the National Security Agency in 1967 where he met Olivia Fulghum Watkins of Henderson,North Carolina. While he was not permitted to enter Olivia’s classified office, she conceded to a first-datedinner at Mr. Smith’s in Georgetown on November 24, 1968, in the hallway of the U.S. Department ofDefense. Once married, Olivia and Chuck settled in the suburbs of the city they loved, Washington, D.C.Chuck left the NSA to join General Electric Co. where he spent the next 32 years of his professional life asa Jack Welch disciple in the GE Information Services business unit. He retired in 2005 to spend more timewith his wife, kids, and grandkids. Chuck’s favorite destination was Holden Beach, North Carolina – aplace that prioritizes family and offers little else but an escape from the demands of regular daily life. Heloved to swim, fish, and surf, never tiring of his time in and on the water.

Chuck was very generous with his time, particularly if it included his family. He was an ardent supporterof the Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church, where he served on the Board as a Ruling Elder, taught Sundayschool, and served on the Personnel and Pastor Nominating Committees. Chuck also served as Presidentof the Parent Teacher’s Association and the West Riding Civic Association, coached youth soccer for theGaithersburg Soccer Association, and served as Chief (“Big Cloud”) of the local chapter of Indian Guidesand Indian Princesses. Chuck was also generous with his words – often repeating his favorite storiesabout his kids or grandkids to anyone who would listen. He loved good food, reading and collectingbooks, American history, John F. Kennedy, Elvis Presley, Ford Mustangs, the Washington Commanders,and the 1980 U.S. Men’s Ice Hockey Team.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Olivia; his son Charles Scotland Stevens and his wife, Jennifer; hisdaughter Olivia Sharon Gifford and her husband, Kyle; his older sister Diane Graves (Ken) and youngersister MaryEllen Sinatra (Fred St. Ours). Known as Papa, he was the proud grandfather to seven adoringgrandchildren: Olivia Mae Gifford, Robert James Gifford, Charles Irving Gifford, Kathryn Olivia Stevens,Caroline Elizabeth Stevens, Charles Scotland Stevens Jr., and John Watkins Stevens.