Jerry Gordon Stevens

December 7, 1935 - August 23, 2024

Jerry Gordon Stevens passed away on August 23 at the age of 88 at Heritage Hall after a short illness. He is survived by his wife, Sara (Sally) of 62 years; daughter, Rebecca Jean and her husband, Chris Wagner of Fairfax, VA; and daughter, Jennifer Anne Stevens of Gibsonville, NC; a sister-in-law, Sarita, also of NC; and his four legged, best ever pet, Punkie.

Born in Pomona, CA, he graduated from UCLA with a BS in business administration in 1959. He joined the Navy and went to Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI. He met his soon to be wife, Sally while stationed in CA. Next he was stationed in Hawaii, Rhode Island and a year in-country in Vietnam as the commander of a division of river patrol boats in combat just south of the DMZ. After completing a one-year assignment, he became XO of USS Meredith, homeported in Athens, Greece. In 1969 they moved to Japan as CO of USS Lockwood. He attended the Army War College and also earned an MBA from Shippensburg University. From 1985 to 1988, he was as Commanding Officer of the NROTC unit at Virginia Tech. Having served in the Navy for 29 years, Stevens retired as a Captain in 1988. Stevens and his family truly joined the Navy and saw the world, and enjoyed the adventure along the way.

Stevens worked in the Virginia Tech Athletics Department for 15 years as the manager of the tennis center on campus. While there he took up the game of tennis and became an avid player in both singles and doubles. Along the way, Sally and Jerry enjoyed many trips to the beach at Hilton Head and ocean cruises on Viking ships. He was a member of the Blacksburg Sports Club and Hokie Club and attended Blacksburg Baptist Church. He was always an avid sports fan, supporting Tech's teams and walking to and from all home football games. He will be missed by those who knew him well, except maybe a few game officials.

Funeral services will be held at the McCoy Funeral Home in Blacksburg on Friday, August 30, 2024, at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Attn: Development, PO Box 96172, Washington DC 20090-6172. Interment will take place at the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin, VA, on Friday, August 30, 2024, at 10 a.m.

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Published by Roanoke Times on Aug. 27, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Jerry Stevens

Sponsored by McCoy Funeral Home - Blacksburg.

7 Entries

Tom Hammett

August 28, 2024

I played tennis with Jerry right up to when he entered the hospital. His long reach was always a surprise as he returned shots that we were sure were out of his reach! I visited with him many times while he was in recovery! He always had a great sense of humor and very much appreciated my visits. He would smile and be especially appreciative if I remembered to bring him a cup of coffee. He will be missed by all of us in the tennis gang!

Tom Gabbard

August 28, 2024

A wonderful member of my athletic staff. Always professional and committed to excellence. Served our country admirably and supported our tennis programs even after he retired. Thank you Jerry for you service to Virginia Tech Athletics
Tom Gabbard

Sharon Troy

August 27, 2024

Jerry was a wonderful friend and honorable American. His service to our country and then the Blacksburg community will be greatly missed. I was blessed to know him.
Sharon Troy

Joan Moore

August 27, 2024

Through the 90's and beyond, I organized a Friday morning Ladies tennis group - 3 courts doubles. Whenever we were short a player, we would ask him if he would sub. He would pick up his tennis racket and fill in. He wasn't a hard hitter (or maybe he was just being nice) but oh those long arms, he could reach anything. He was a pleasure to play with.
Joan Moore

sara king

August 27, 2024

Sally,
I'm Sara- Virginia Francis's daughter. So sorry to hear of Jerry's passing. Sending peace and love to your family.

Michael Martin

August 27, 2024

Sally and family. I first meet Jerry in 1997 when he was running the tennis center. He told me about the singles ladder. Because of him, I was able to get back into tennis. He was always available for a game, either singles or doubles. As you know he had a dry sense of humor and I also enjoyed our time together on the golf course. He will be missed.

Bev Sizer Bond

August 27, 2024

Sally and family, So sad to learn of Jerry´s death, he was a wonderful person. I worked with him in Athletics in the 90´s and he was a fun person. Jerry will be sorely missed.

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