John "Jack" Linn Stevens

A visitation for Jack will be held Thursday, July 3, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Thomas Aquinas Church & Catholic Student Center, 2210 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50014. A funeral mass will occur Thursday, July 3, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, St. Thomas Aquinas Church & Catholic Student Center, 2210 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50014. A graveside service will occur Thursday, July 3, 2025 from 12:15 PM to 12:30 PM at Ames Municipal Cemetery, 310 E 9th St, Ames, IA 50010.

Jack was born October 30th, 1938, the son of Don and Helga Stevens, in Ames, Iowa, where he graduated from High School. He then attended and graduated from the University of Kansas. Upon graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force to ‘fly jets’. Shortly thereafter, on June 19th, 1965, he married Carole Anne Walsh, his high school sweetheart and ‘the Love of his Life’, at the Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska. They had three sons, Don, James, and Mark.

For those who knew Jack, he was a true family man, a dreamer, an avid fisherman, and a traveller. He loved attending sports events not only for his children, but also his grandchildren, regaling them with stories of his own athletic accomplishments and rooting them on! He worked in businesses both foreign and domestic, working in countries in the Middle East and in England, and was an eternal optimist and full of life in everything he pursued. Some of his sons’ fondest memories of Jack revolve around fishing marathons at the family cabin on Pike Bay, Minnesota, oftentimes from dawn to dusk, fueled by ‘energy sandwiches’ Jack would make of Sardines, eggs, mayonnaise, onions, and peanut butter. They were delicious!

Of his many accomplishments during his life, Jack was proud of ultimately becoming a Lieutenant First Class in the Air Force and flying planes in ‘Project Looking Glass’, a highly sought position during his service. An accomplished singer, Jack performed on a ‘Quartet’ in college as well, something which he warmly recalled at times. He also remains the World Record Holder for pole vaulting with a steel pole at 13’ 6”, a record that will never be broken since they no longer use steel poles. Of all his accomplishments, though, the ones he valued the most was marrying his wife, Carole Anne, having his three sons, and delighting in his grandchildren.

Jack is survived and will be greatly missed by his Wife, Carole, his three sons, Don, James, and Mark, and his sister, Shirley Freshwaters. He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Helga Stevens. While he will be remembered for his legacy of love, laughter, strength and unfailing support, we are truly grateful that he is now at peace with his family and friends that passed before him and with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Memorials may be directed to the family in loving memory of Jack.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be left at www.stevensmemorialchapel.com for the Stevens family.

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