James Raymond Stevens

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

12:41 PM

Jim passed away Sunday, Nov. 13 at home after his long battle with COPD and Mycobacterium Avian Complex Pneumonia.

He was preceded in death by both his parents David Andrew Stevens and Margaret Earle Christensen Stevens. All three died at home where they wanted to be when their time came. He leaves behind his oldest sister and brother in law, Janet and Bill Moreland of Perryville, AR., his older brother, Bill Stevens and his wife Kathy, of Altus, OK, and his sister, Sherry Tyler of Austin, TX. His close family includes 5 nephews, 4 nieces, their children and numerous cousins and their children.

Although Jim never married, he had a "family" of close friends and he leaves behind Bobby Smith who is more a brother than a friend to our whole family.

Jim was terminal manager for Con Global Industries and Rail Logistics Inc. before his health forced him into retirement. He was an avid sportsman and spent as much of his time with friends hunting and fishing all of his life. Even while in the Army, stationed in Korea he managed to find a post where he hunted pheasants daily for over a 3 month period. He served in the 2nd of the 7th Calvary, which was famous because it was Custer's outfit. He was proud of his service and fascinated by the history of his division and actually visited the Little Big Horn Battlefield National Monument while on a trip to Sturgis for the yearly motorcycle rally.

He managed to go deep sea fishing in Puget Sound and fish for lake trout, walleye and pike in Canada and fished the Colorado River for Rainbow trout. He enjoyed his travels but only Memphis was home. He hunted and fished with family and friends all over Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi and was a monthly participant in the conservation program for the Tennessee Game and Fish Department because of his knowledge of the surrounding lakes and hunting areas.

Jim was content with his life in the home he was born in and was a friend and good neighbor to the people who lived in this neighborhood. He was a member of the local Neighborhood association and joined with others to keep the character of "his" neighborhood safe from changes proposed by business that would alter the life style they enjoyed.

Jim enjoyed life and shared his adventures with family and friends or with his stories of the trials and tribulations encountered daily. We will all miss his sarcastic grin, his quick wit and his unique brand of humor. Rest in peace, brother mine.