Floyd "John" Stevens

Floyd John Stevens, aged 91 of Bountiful, Utah passed away peacefully on Monday, October 7, 2024 of natural causes. Born to Floyd D. Stevens and Phyllis Adams in Salt Lake City on November 23, 1932. He came into this world on the kitchen table weighing 11 lbs. 6 oz. He had a sister named Anita who was 2 years older. From the time he was born, he was known as "Johnny". His father worked for Safeway food chain and his mother was a stay-at-home mother. On October 25, 1937, life took a drastic change as his father was killed in an automobile accident on the Wendover Highway. Johnny was almost 5 years old.
Growing up without a father was very difficult. John longed to be with him and struggled even as a small boy over his absence. Luckily, he had a very caring extended family that stepped in and provided much comfort and a sense of family for John. Aunt Nona Stevens, his father's sister, became a second mother to him. He moved many times during his young years and lived with several aunts and uncles. He was particularly close to his cousins throughout his life because they were immediate family to him. He was so grateful to his loving extended family for their constant support throughout his life. A few years later, his mother remarried and had 2 children, Louella and Raymond Kay. John was very close with his sister Louella.
He graduated from Glendale High School in 1951 having moved to California with his mother and sisters when he was 10 years old. He enrolled at Brigham Young University and became active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science degree.
In the fall of 1955, he was called to serve a mission in New Zealand. The words New Zealand was crossed out with a red pen and handwritten under that was Samoan Mission. He had no idea where Samoa was but figured it was close to New Zealand. His mission started a love affair with the pacific islands including Samoa and Hawaii where he lived for many years later in his life. During the last week of his life, his nurse was Samoan. She sang him Samoan songs and spoke the language to him. It brought great joy into his heart and peace to his family for the tender mercy of this unlikely coincidence.
He married Ann Marie Crane in the St. George Temple on June 24, 1961. They had 2 daughters Lisa who was born in Provo, Utah and 2 years later, Lori who was born in Henderson, Nevada. The union ended in divorce 5 years later which was sad for both Ann and John.
John started his own production company and began making documentaries and TV programs. He moved to Hawaii and continued his business in films. In 1980, he took a month-long trip through the South Pacific and made the film, "Polynesia Your Heritage". From his early career, he started traveling the world and went on many cruises throughout his life. Once, he took his best friend, Joan Harrell on a trip around the world. He loved traveling with his friends and shared amazing stories upon his return. He was a fantastic story teller and remembered every detail. His memory was remarkable and still razor sharp even until his last days on earth.
He visited Lisa and Lori many times during their studies at Brigham Young University and later on the East Coast as they raised their young families. A highlight for the grandchildren was visiting Papa John in Palm Springs, California for 1 week every year. Swimming in the pool, eating at Ruby's and playing go fish and monopoly with Papa John will always be a highlight for the grandchildren.
He attended 3 of his 8 grandchildren's weddings starting with Lindsay Egbers to Chase Heiner in 2018. Last summer, he attended the weddings of Samantha Boyd, his oldest grandchild to Shaun Wood in Arlington, VA. The following weekend, he attended the wedding of another grandson, Carter Egbers to Katie Hunter Egbers. He danced and participated in every aspect of the celebration. His vitality was remarkable at 90 years old. Two days prior to his passing on October 5, 2024, he watched Taylor Boyd marry Connor Barnes, a wedding he was hoping to attend in person.
He is survived by his 2 daughters, Lisa Boyd and Lori Egbers. He has 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Every November, he visited their families on the East Coast to celebrate his birthday and reunite with the grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Louella Kay. In recent years, they watched John's grandson play quarterback for Dickinson College. They tuned in every week together and were Presley's biggest cheerleaders.
John loved living in Palm Springs, California for many years. He was very active with the Palms Springs ward missionaries and would take them to Bill's pizza for lunch every Friday. He would support them in many ways and often they would return to Palms Springs to visit him after their mission service was complete. Many invited him to their weddings. He made lots of friends by helping the missionaries and found great joy in doing so. He loved Jesus Christ and had a bright testimony of his gospel.
John's legacy is one of love, service and dedication to his family, friends and his church service. He was an ordinance worker in the Redlands, California Temple and later served diligently in the Bountiful Temple several times a week. His light shone brightly in the lives of those around him and while he may have departed from this world, his spirit and love remain with us. The family wishes to extended their deepest thanks to Carol Ann Schwab and family for their help over the past 2 years. We will never forget your kindness to him. We would also like to thank the Bountiful 11th ward for their help with his care and the funeral service to honor our father.
We are forever grateful!
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 12:00 Noon at the Bountiful 11th Ward chapel located at 115 East Wicker Lane, Bountiful, Utah 84010. Friends and family may gather at 11:30 am. John will be buried at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.