Theodore Elwood Stevens

Theodore Elwood Stevens, 81, passed away on December 1, 2018, at his home in Las Vegas, following a lengthy illness. In his final days, he was surrounded by family and friends.
Ted was born in Denver, Colorado, in 1937, the middle of three children. When he was a child, his family moved to Angwin, California, where he was raised.
When he was a child, his grandfather had him disassemble and then reassemble a pocket watch, which he was able to do. From this experience, Ted realized that God had given him a gift for understanding how things worked and how to fix them.
Throughout his life, Ted used this gift to provide for his family and bring himself immense enjoyment. The professions he followed include bookbinding, piloting, flight instruction, artistic metalworking, mechanical engineering, and even game design. He is remembered among specialists as an innovator in the field of solid surfacing material.
In the mid-1950's he married Carol Parrett and had three children: Janet, Robert, and Cherie. Later, he married Sue Craig and moved to Puerto Rico with her two daughters, working there for a data company and then as a flight instructor and airline pilot.
In the mid-1970s, he moved to San Diego and got involved in metal artwork. This led to him being hired by Avonite, a company that, under its various names, he worked for until his retirement.
After retiring, he enjoyed traveling in his RV and taking cruises and trips. One of his most memorable adventures was restoring and flying a Cessna 182 up to Alaska with his son. He was, in addition, involved in many church projects and activities, having been an elder in his church in Albuquerque for many years.
Ted was a wonderful husband, devoting his last 32 years to his wife, Theresa. He will long be remembered as a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose greatest passions were fixing things and helping others.
He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Pat; and survived by wife Theresa of Las Vegas; son Robert Stevens of Las Vegas; daughter Janet Grassman of Las Vegas; daughter Cherie Firmery of San Diego; and son Jeremy Davis of Seattle.
A remembrance will be held at the Mountain View Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 6001 W. Oakey Blvd, Las Vegas, 89146, on December 7 at 2 P.M., followed by a reception on the grounds.
The family wishes to thank Pastor Boles and the Mountain View congregation for their care and assistance. If you wish, donations may be made to a charity of your choice in the name of Theodore Stevens.