Jody Lawayne Stevens

Jody LaWayne Stevens, age 93, departed to his heavenly home on November 21, 2022. Jody was born on August 17, 1929, in Stuart, Oklahoma, to Gay Lou (Burns) and Cecil Stephens. 

He was proud of the farming and ranching heritage that influenced his lifelong work ethic. He had a special affection for his Grandma Burns who was a mentor to him. Jody graduated from Stuart Senior HS (OK) in 1947 and East Central State College (OK) where he earned a BA degree in 1950. He was called to serve in the United States Army in 1950 along with the Oklahoma National Guard 45th Division during the Korean War. After active duty, he remained in the Reserve, attended OCS and became a Second Lieutenant. He was very proud of his military service. 

Following the war, Jody enrolled in the University of Oklahoma and received a Master's degree. He was awarded a Kellogg Fellowship at OU and obtained a Doctor of Education degree in 1959. His professional career was dedicated to education, serving as a school principal in Kingston, Oklahoma, teaching at Austin College in Sherman, Texas, East Texas State College in Commerce, Texas, and retiring from his final position at the University of Houston in 1986. Jody and wife, Syble, raised three wonderful children, Connie, Mark and Kim. 

Never one to sit idle, Jody was also a custom home builder, a management consultant and a private pilot. His many hobbies over the years included motorcycles, golf, classic cars, boats, fishing, hunting and RVing. He loved playing and writing country music. He especially enjoyed spending summers in Colorado with Patty, his wife of 35 years. Jody was a member of North Side Baptist Church and Glory Sunday School class in Weatherford, Texas.

Family includes wife, Patty Stevens of Weatherford, Texas; daughters, Connie and husband Tim Bryant of Sherman, Texas, and Kim and husband, Bobby Grimmett of Montgomery, Texas; son, Dr. Mark Stevens (deceased) and wife, Teri Stevens of El Paso, Texas; four grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; and many Oklahoma relatives. Special thanks is given to the caregivers at Avalon Memory Center and Allstar Hospice Care.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at North Side Baptist Church, 910 N Main St, Weatherford, Texas 76086. Prior to the service the family will receive friends during a visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Burial following the service at 2:00 p.m., at Greenwood/Mt Olivet, 2301 N Sylvania, Fort Worth, Texas 76111.

Memorials may be made to North Side Baptist Church Scholarship Fund, 910 N Main St, Weatherford, Texas 76086 or to Grace House Ministries, PO Box 1416, Weatherford, Texas 76086, or to a charity of choice.