Reuben Edgar Stevenson...Age 77

VISITATION: 10-11 AM MONDAY, MAY 19, 2014

SERVICES: 11 AM MONDAY, MAY 19, 2014 ~ WITH MILITARY HONORS

BURIAL: FONTANA CEMETERY, FONTANA, KANSAS

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Reuben Edgar Stevenson age 77 of Fontana, Kansas formerly of Laverne, Oklahoma died Thursday, May 15, 2014 at his daughter’s home in rural Fontana.

Reuben was born on July 13, 1936 in Hamilton, Ohio the third child of eight to Harrison and Grace (Dees) Stevenson. He grew up in the Hamilton area and attended school there.

On February 16, 1954 at the age of seventeen, Reuben enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and served as a Mortar Man, Proof Technician and Small Arms. Reuben was honorably discharge from the military on February 15, 1957.

While in the military and stationed at Camp Lejeune, he met and married Lois Ellen Walker on November 25, 1956 in Greensboro, North Caroline. The couple became the parents of three children. Reuben Jr., Becky and Susan.

In 1960 Reuben moved his family to California where he was employed by Thompson & Company Tech Bell Helmet. A company that produces football helmets, Reuben was employed there from 1960 until 1976 as a polyurethane technician. Then they moved to Laverne, Oklahoma where he then went into the oil industry and worked as a rough neck for Sparch Drilling Company from 1979 until he retired in 1987.

After thirty-four years Reuben’s marriage ended in divorce in 1990.

He began to operate the local car wash after his retirement and loved visiting with the people. It quickly became one of his favorite parts of retirement. Reuben was a jack of all trades and could do many thing and do them well. He loved to tinker on cars, he was a wonderful mechanic and enjoyed working on them. It was not uncommon to see him cooking in the kitchen or manning the BBQ outside. He was a fun loving man and like to joke with everyone. Reuben had a heart the size of Oklahoma and would help anyone who needed it. He loved to hang out with his friends at the “Tiger Hut” in Laverne. He would frequent there for coffee, a piece of BJ’s pie and of course to visit and joke with the waitresses. Reuben later moved to Kansas to stay with his daughter Becky and her family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one grand-daughter Ruth Ann Stevenson in 1982, five brothers and one sister.

Reuben is survived by his three children: Reuben Stevenson Jr. of Osawatomie, KS, Becky (Otis) Snyder of Fontana, KS, Susan Stevenson of Ponca City, Ok, one brother Dale Stevenson of Pennsylvania six grandchildren: James Riggs, Christopher, Gary and Gregory Stevenson, Otis ”Levi” and Chelsea Snyder, two great grandchildren: Mona and Gavin Stevenson along with many other family members and friends.