James W. “Jim” Stevens of Lake Charles, passed away Monday, August 14, 2023 at a local hospice facility.  Jim was born February 14, 1934 in Jacksonville, Texas., to E.O. Stevens, Sr. and Ima Chadwick Stevens.  Jim was raised in Southeast Texas, served in the U.S. Army and graduated from Lamar University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He later earned his Professional Engineering license.

He met his first wife Shirley in Shreveport and they married in 1964.   They had four children together.  Several years after her death in 1982, he began taking dance lessons, where he met his second wife.  He was a founding member of Krewe de la Noblesse and the Tempo Dance Club.  He and Jackie were also members of the Merry Mates Dance Club.  He enjoyed working out at the gym, running, golf, gardening, and going to the casino to smoke a cigar.  He was proud to serve as an usher at the Cathedral, serving as the head usher for several years.  He was especially proud to be Papa to his grandchildren.  

Those left to cherish Jim’s memory are his wife, Jackie Stevens, children: Scott Stevens (Angie), Laurette Tupper (Mike), Charlotte LeJune Smith (Derek), Marilyn Sullins (Paul), 10 grandchildren: Hannah Felso (Zoli), Kayla Tupper, Bethany Tupper, Owen LeJune, Wyatt LeJune (Arden), Jake LeJune, Jillian LeJune, Nathan Sullins, Steven Sullins and Aaron Sullins, 1 great-grandchild: Flora Felso.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Kenneth Stevens, E.O. Stevens, Jr., sister, Carolyn Gill, twin sister, Janette Anderson, first wife, Shirley Normand Stevens and 1 grandchild, Mallory Stevens.

Visitation will be Friday, August 18, 2023, from 4 p.m. until 8p.m. with a scripture prayer service to begin at 5 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Home, 4321 Lake St., Lake Charles, La. 70605.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 19, 2023, 10 a.m. at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 935 Bilbo St., Lake Charles, La. 70601.  Burial will follow the mass at Consolata Cemetery.