Obituary - Rick I. Stevens

Tuesday, February 27, 2007
THE JUNEAU EMPIRE

Former Juneau resident Rick I. Stevens of Dickinson, N.D., died Feb. 18, 2007, at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minn. He was 53.

He was born Nov. 3, 1953, to Shirley Stevens in Seattle, Wash. As a young child, he moved with his mother and stepfather to Juneau, where he attended junior and senior high school. He then moved to New Orleans, where he enlisted into the U.S. Army.

Following his discharge, he returned to Juneau, where he married Sherill Hodges on May 27, 1977. They both worked at the Juneau Childrens Home until 1978, at which time he was called into God's ministry. They moved to Springfield, Mo., where he attended Evangel College and received his Bachelor of Arts in Biblical studies in 1982.

The family moved back to Juneau, where he worked as director of Biblical Studies at the Juneau Christian School. He was called to Fort Worth, Texas, where he pursued his Master of Divinity Degree at Southwestern Theological Seminary.

He accepted a youth pastor position at Southside Assembly in Dallas until 1986, when he took a senior pastor position at Lyons Assembly of God Church in Lyons, Neb.

In 1989, he became the director of the Salvation Army Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Center in Boise, Idaho. He stayed for six years.

He and his family moved to Sacramento and Auborn, Calif., where he served as the minister and social service director for the Salvation Army.

In 2000, he was called and accepted the Senior Pastor position for the Evangelical Bible Church in Dickinson, N.D., where he has ministered until he developed failing health.

He enjoyed reading and studying the Bible and taking care of the yard. Family members said he kept his yard in immaculate condition.

His great ability for reaching out and helping people struggling with their drug and alcohol addiction, said family members. The children of Evangelical Bible held a special spot in his heart, and he always cherished their love and acts of kindness. He enjoyed making people laugh.

Another trait of Rick's was the ability to select the perfect Christmas gift for his family. He was always coming up with the just the right thing. His most precious love was for his family.

He is survived by his wife, Sherill Stevens, of Dickinson; three daughters, Jessica Sneed and her husband, Joshua, of Seaside, Calif., Jacqueline Stevens, of Minneapolis, Minn., and Erika Stevens, of Dickinson; grandson, Elijah Sneed; mother, Shirley Stevens, of Sturgis, Mich.; step-parents, Doug and Virginia Stevens, of New Orleans; and one sister, Mary Dowd, of Seattle.

Services were held Feb. 24 at Evangelical Bible Church in Dickinson with Pastor Tim Privratsky officiating. Burial will be at a later date.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family on the Web at www.stevensonfuneralhome.com .