Ellis Funeral Home
http://ellisfuneralhomes.com
Graveside service for Donald "Don" Stevens, age 86, of Lubbock, Texas, is scheduled for 11:00 AM, December 21, 2024 at Ellis Funeral Home Chapel in Muleshoe, Texas. Burial will be in Muleshoe Memorial Park in Muleshoe, Texas. Don died Wednesday, December 4, 2024 in Annandale, Virginia. He was born March 11, 1938 in Dimmitt, Texas to Glen and Maudie (Douglass) Stevens.
Don grew up in a farming family in West Texas and graduated from Springlake-Earth High School in 1956. He enlisted in the army and served six months at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri before separating from the Army reserve as a sergeant in 1966. Don joined the Dallas Fire Department in 1960 and worked his way through the ranks to become Deputy Chief in 1976, running the Training Division. During this time, he earned a bachelor's degree in Career Arts at El Centro College (now Dallas College). Don retired from the Dallas Fire Department in 1986 and returned to his family roots in West Texas, accepting the offer to become Chief of the Lubbock Fire Department. He served the Lubbock community in this capacity until retiring in 1996. After retirement, Don continued to dedicate himself to service through Christian ministry, primarily with prison inmates and orphans. Don attended Trinity Church in Lubbock, was a riding member of the Christian Motorcyclist Association, and generously supported many other ministries. Don is preceded in death by his parents Glen and Maudie (Douglass) Stevens, sister Nona (Stevens) Pool, nephew William "Martell" Pool, and wife of 48 years, Sarah (Saffels) Stevens.
Don is survived by three children: Vicki "Leah" Plavney of Frisco, Texas, Douglass Stevens of Falls Church, Virginia, and Saralee Stevens of Lubbock, Texas; seven grandchildren: Amy Plavney Rumsey, Donovan Stevens, Preston Hempel, Chandler Hempel, Cassidy Hempel, Noah Stevens, and Evangeline Stevens; and one great-grandchild, Riley Rumsey.
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