Darwin Franklin Stevens

January 18, 1937 – August 5, 2026

Darwin “Steve” Franklin Stevens, affectionately known to family and friends as Steve or Bud, passed away on August 5, 2026, at the age of 89. He will be remembered for his meticulous nature, his sense of humor, his love of family and friends, and, of course, his famously good hair remarkably still dark at 89.

Steve graduated from Denver City High School and earned a welding degree from Odessa College. He went on to build a career at the Shell Oil Refinery in Odessa, Texas, where he worked until his retirement.

Steve proudly served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1962. While stationed in Chicago in 1960, he met Judith May Heidemann. The two married on April 14, 1962, beginning a marriage and life together.

A member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Odessa, Steve valued his faith and community. He also cherished the friendships he made throughout his life, including Don Jordan, Wayne Conley, Doug Sharrock, Ring Bell, and Bobby Peoples.

Steve enjoyed golf, especially playing with his family. One of his proudest golfing moments came on January 25, 2007, when he made his first hole-in-one on the 13th hole at Hogan Park Golf Course in Midland, Texas. He also appreciated a good chicken-fried steak and had a knack for making people laugh.

Steve was meticulous in his work and took pride in doing things right, although those close to him also knew about his habit of collecting just about anything that caught his interest. Among all the pets he encountered over the years, Snowball, a Spitz dog the family found, held a particularly special place in his heart and was the one dog he truly cared for.

Steve is survived by his son, Chris Stevens; grandson, Jonathan Franklin Stevens and wife Marti; brother, Doyle Stevens and his wife, Sandy, of Wichita Falls, Texas; and sister, Juanell Glaze, of Weatherford, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thelma Lee Johnson Stevens and Chester Franklin Stevens; his son, Wayne Stevens; his wife, Judith Stevens; and his brother-in-law, Jimmy Don Glaze.

Steve will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.