George D. "Joe" Stevens

George D. "Joe" Stevens 73, George D. Stevens, known to friends and family as "Joe," "Big Joe," and "Grandpa Big Joe," passed away on October 18, 2011, in Tucson, Ariz., at the age of 73. He lived in Tucson with summers in Lake George, N.Y. Born May 28, 1938, in Fort Edward, N.Y., Joe was the son of Sis and Willie Stevens. He graduated from Fort Edward High School in 1956, after lettering in basketball, football, baseball, track and tennis. He served proudly in the United States Marine Corps as a sergeant E4 from 1956 to 1959. He graduated from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh in 1963 with a bachelor's degree in education and later earned a master's degree in liberal studies from Stony Brook University in 1971. Joe made a lasting impression on everyone who met him. As a teacher for 30 years, he taught many kids to love reading at Bicycle Path School in the Middle Country School District, in Selden, N.Y., before retiring in 1993. He was always willing to take a chance – in life, and on people – and will be forever remembered for his "larger-than-life" personality. He knew how to work the crowd, impressing all with his breadth of knowledge, proving his point ferociously in debate, and dazzling people with his great, and often irreverent, sense of humor. He was an aspiring entrepreneur, investing in the markets and owning a lively campground and real estate development business in Upstate, N.Y. Joe loved spending time with his friends and family, hunting, fishing, and playing golf and other sports. He was a member of Saddlebrook Community Church in Tucson, Ariz. Joe was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by Lucie, his wife of eight years; children, Joe (Ding) Stevens of Singapore, Sheri Stevens of Delmar, N.Y., Jan (Derek) Klaehn of Evansville, Wis., and Anne Wagner Hornback of Ormand Beach, Fla.; eight grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The family will hold a Memorial Service in Tucson at VISTOSO FUNERAL HOME on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. and a celebration of his life in Saranac, N.Y., in summer 2012. Memorial donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity Tucson at: www.habitattucson.org/give or (520) 326-1217, ext. 218.