EUGENE STEVENSON

1953 - 2015

EUGENE D. STEVENSON JR. 05/21/53-01/23/15 Dr. Eugene D. Stevenson, Jr. passed on to be with his Savior on January 23, 2015 after a very brief illness. Dr. Stevenson was born on May 21, 1953 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Later, his family moved to Nashville, Tennessee where he attended St. Vincent De Paul School and Father Ryan High School. He matriculated at: Sacramento State University in California, Meharry Dental School in Nashville, Tennessee and achieved his specialty degree in pediatric dentistry from Baylor University School of Pediatric Dentistry in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Stevenson moved to El Paso in 1988. It is here he fell in love with his wife of 20 years, Rosa Rodriguez-Stevenson, the El Pasoans, the culture and where he established his pediatric dental career. He pursued private practice in a small facility in the Lower Valley at the Johnston Clinic. As his reputation and demand for services grew, he eventually built his own building, which set a standard for architecture innovation. He has earned the trust of the El Paso community in treating children and intellectual or developmentally disabled patients of all ages. Dr. Stevenson was at the juncture of treating second-generation children---the children of his original patients! He was fondly recognized at surgical centers and hospitals as a kind, caring, and efficient dental provider. Dr. Stevenson would delight in arriving home after a surgical day and requesting a high-five from his wife because of the great work in providing exemplary dental treatment. Throughout his career in El Paso, Dr. Stevenson has participated in an annual Thanksgiving Dinner Basket giveaway for over 25 years; has served as an International Ambassador of the People to People International Organization, member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Texas Dental Association, El Paso District Dental Society and various other associations. Moreover, Dr. Stevenson was a proud Navy man---he served as a Lt. Commander for nine years. His personality was one of doing whatever it took to make people laugh; would greet, by name, the wait staff at his favorite restaurant, Julio's Café Corona, take drinks out to the lawn personnel and look for the positive in everyone. He didn't care whom or why, he just loved to serve humanity. His passion for living life included bragging and recruiting people to relocate to El Paso; he felt this was God's country! As well, he and his wife traveled extensively around the world---Australia, Africa, Asia, Europe, South America and numerous cities in the United States with their great friends from Nashville, the late Dr. Eric Wood and his wife, Thomasena. While at home, Dr. Stevenson and his family would spend endless hours in their vegetable garden---harvesting hundreds of pounds of produce, and then later canning the excess. Second to loving El Paso, he and his wife enjoyed Ruidoso, New Mexico, where many came to share a meal with them. Eugene enjoyed making a meal for anyone; using countless spices to make those ribs, fried chicken and fried cat fish finger licking great---his sandwiches were second to none! Dr. Stevenson's mantra for serving others was manifested in the outpour of love from the El Paso community, patients, and his colleagues. Fellow El Paso dentists have expressed his willingness to assist new dentists start their practices in any way he could. The most sincere gratitude is extended to those who have stepped in to assist the Stevenson Dental Clinic for Children in his absence---The Dental Ark (Dr. Maldonado and Dr. Baker), as well as his beloved staff members and the loving, professional staff at the Providence ICU and Dr. Jose Diaz---his dear friend and brother from another mother. Dr. Stevenson is survived by his wife, Rosa; children-Kristopher Garcia (Laura), Lisa Swiger (Dale), Jaclyn Garcia (Angel), Eugene Stevenson III (Rachel), Elliott Stevenson (Jaimee), Evan Stevenson (Janelle), Stephan Stevenson and Sierra Stevenson. His grandchildren: Severa, Gavin, Isabel, Eugene IV, Elliott Jr., Jaxon, and Evan Jr. His brothers: Joseph, Michael, Keith and Scott Stevenson. Preceded in death: parents, Eugene and Maxine Stevenson; grandmothers, Ona Martin and Mary Stevenson, and dear friend Dr. Eric Wood. A "Celebration of Life---Dress to the Nines" will be held on January 31, 2015 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.---Military Honor Guard at 3:00 p.m. at Grace Gardens, 6701 Westside Dr., El Paso, TX 79932. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the establishment of a community vegetable garden in honor of Dr. Eugene D. Stevenson, Jr.