Jimmy (Jim) Lewis Stevenson, 88, died December 4, 2023. Jim was born August 11, 1935 at home in Hulbert, OK. He married Edith Ann Patton on February 2, 1955. Jim and Edith met in Illinois while he was working a summer job for Libby’s. Jim first noticed Edith when she was a contestant in the Pumpkin Festival pageant. He and Edith were married 58 years until her death in January 2013.

Jim was the second of five children. He graduated from Hulbert High School in 1953. He had a life-long love of flying. He was an Airman – First Class in the United States Air Force, based in Amarillo, Texas. Jim taught electronics and circuitry on the B47, F101, and F102 to Air Force pilots and other personnel. He taught circuitry on the Snark, the first Air Force missile. He was cited many times for his technical expertise and his ability to decipher the most complex technological issues. He earned many medals including several for sharp shooting.

After the Air Force, he and his family moved to Okmulgee, where he graduated from what is now Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology with a degree in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. After graduation from OSUIT in 1962, the family moved to Ponca City, where he opened his own business, Stevenson Refrigeration. While he made a few forays into working for others, he always maintained his own business. Jim could fix anything. He was the go-to expert for others who could not resolve a mechanical or technical problem. He loved solving the un-solvable. He lived and worked in Ponca City for over 60 years. In the mid-seventies, Jim and Edith built a house and moved to their farm near Pawnee but continued to commute to Ponca for work.

Jim was a man of many, many interests. He found his happiest times at the farm, working with his horses and driving his tractor. He taught his daughter and granddaughters how to ride horses and drive the tractor. He rode his horse in the 101 Ranch Rodeo opening ceremonies, the Cherokee Strip parade, and went on several trail rides. Jim loved the outdoors. He trained bird dogs for quail and pheasant hunting. He held a private and commercial pilot’s license for many years. Jim was a collector and curator of other people’s unwanted castoffs. He would happily take a broken appliance home; use parts from one to fix another. He did not believe in throwing anything away. “Someday, you might need it” was his mantra. Jim was an amazing storyteller. He never met a stranger. He was known to stay up until the wee hours to watch an OKC Thunder game. Jim had a big heart and could not pass up an abandoned dog or cat without taking it home. He rescued many neglected horses. Jim and Edith affectionately called their home “Stevenson’s Last Chance.”

Jim was exceptionally proud of his family and relished making memories with them. He is survived by his daughter, Debbie Rodgers of Bixby; two granddaughters, Jamie Meyer and her husband, Aaron Meyer of Tulsa and Katie Wagner and her husband Jesse of Tulsa; three great grandchildren, Hayden Meyer, Penelope Meyer, and Harrison Wagner. He is also survived by two sisters, Jo Loy of Edmond and Shirley Davis of Wentzville, Mo.; his brother, Bill Stevenson of Edmond, several nieces and nephews, and many good, good friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Edith; an infant son, Ricky Lee Stevenson; his parents, Thomas Jefferson Stevenson and Ruth Ann Watkins Stevenson; and his older brother, Perry Stevenson. Also preceding him was Donna Good, his companion of several years.

No services are planned. Jim had a great life. When asked how he would like to be remembered, he said “as a nice guy.” This is where the cowboy rides away.

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