Parents | |
|---|---|
| Father: | George Stevens |
| Mother: | Clara ? |
Spouse | |
| Wife: | Rebecca Lee Moler (1926-2018) married 1946-06-07. |
Children | |
| Son: | Douglas Woody Stevens, Jr. (1947- ) |
| Daughter: | Debra Lee Stevens (1956- ) |
Basic Data | |
| Names: | Doug |
| Born: | 1920-12-03 |
| Died: | 2014-11-16 |
| Place: | Silver Spring, MD, USA |
| Buried: | Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Silver Spring, MD, USA |
History | |
| Photograph: | Portrait |
The Washington Post, November 19, 2014. (Also at Donald V. Borgwardt Funeral Home.)
DOUGLAS W. STEVENS (Age 93)
On Sunday, November 16, 2014. Beloved husband of Rebecca L. Stevens; loving father of Douglas (Penny) W. Stevens, Jr., and Debbie (Charles) Measday; grandfather of Kimberly, and Douglas W. Stevens, III., and Deanna and Alex Measday; great-grandfather of Carolina Grace and Abbygail Ann. Relatives and friends may call at BORGWARDT FUNERAL HOME, 4400 Powder Mill Rd, Beltsville, on Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Saturday, November 22, 2014 from 1:30 p.m. until the time of funeral service at 2 p.m. at The Chapel at Riderwood Village, 3110 Gracefield Rd, Silver Spring. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery on Monday at 1 p.m.
From the memorial service bulletin; by his son, Douglas W. Stevens, Jr.
A Brief Biography of Douglas W. Stevens
Douglas, the only child born to Clara and George Stevens of Richmond, Va., entered this world on December 3, 1920. He grew up in and around the city of Richmond, fishing on the James River and working part time in Riverview Cemetery where he learned the art of grounds-keeping and the nurture of plants and flowers.
With the outbreak of WWII he enlisted in the Navy and was trained as a photographer. Stationed in Washington D.C., Doug rose to the rank of Petty Officer, First Class. In 1943 he was selected to accompany President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his staff aboard the battleship USS Iowa across the Atlantic to Algeria in preparation for the Cairo and Tehran Conferences with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Josef Stalin. Our Dad had many adventures on that historic trip and loved to share them. He continued to work in Washington, D.C. reproducing maps and photographs, including the D-Day landing charts for the Canadian troops.
Shortly before the war ended he met Rebecca Lee Moler, of Harpers Ferry W. Va. and on June 7, 1946 they were married. Mom was a Presbyterian and Dad became one too. He was both a Trustee and a Deacon and loved the fellowship of serving in three Presbyterian congregations.
Dad was not able to share much of his later work as he was among the few civilians who worked for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He prepared maps and photographs for the Joint Chiefs and for briefings for presidents from Truman to Nixon. He was the 26th person to enter the Pentagon when it first opened and always was proud of his work there. From Korea to the Cold War to Vietnam, he was one of those persons behind the scenes who could not share what he had heard or seen. Dad retired in 1972.
Mom and Dad for many years have followed the activities of our family: Doug Jr., his wife Penny, Debbie, her husband Alex; grandchildren, Kimberly Lynn and Douglas III, and Deanna Lee and Alexander Hammond; two great grandchildren, Caralina Grace and Abbygail Ann (father, Doug III) and new daughter-in-law, Angeline Marie, married to Kim.
A poem for his 80th birthday (December 3, 2000), recited by his granddaughter, Kim:
| On Your 80th Birthday! |
|
Considering your childhood hijinx, tricks, and fun, Your parents probably thought you'd never see twenty-one. But you got taller and your hair got shorter. Haircuts were cheaper and much less bother. You took to the parties and became a star, Serenading the girls with song and guitar. Mom soon appeared with chewing gum well hid. She said, "Grow up, Doug— You're no longer a kid!" You married well— well over your head. Mom? She, long ago, was resigned to her fate. Then you were blessed with a son and a daughter: Doug was no trouble and Debbie—well, not too much bother. A reflection of you, fine adults they now are. Preaching and teaching, they answered their call. But your mission wasn't over, your family grew from its core, Adding Penny and Alex and grandchildren four. First Kimmie and Dougie, Deanna and Alex were next. When it came to grandchildren, you chose the best. Take time to reflect on all you've achieved: A lifetime of love, your example bequeathed. And so you are eighty, each year comes and goes. From whence this blessing? Heaven only knows. |
A song for his 85th birthday (December 3, 2005), sung by his grandchildren:
| Happy 85th Birthday! |
|
He built the fastest scooter from skates and bailing wire. With the pack of matches in his pocket, he set his pants on fire. When the bad boys from across the bridge came over to cause some trouble, he flexed his arms and said "Move along or I'll pound you into rubble!" Chorus A few years older, a few years wiser, he left his roughneck ways behind. He donned a hat to cover his head, and turned out polite and kind. He got a job and steel guitar, played at dances like some high-roller. But he caught the eye which saw through his act, the eye of Rebecca Lee Moler. Chorus (Slow tempo for first 3 lines) Along came Doug and Debbie— What hair you had turned gray. But tell the truth— With the love they've returned, You'd do it all over today Chorus Now you're celebrating 85 years— It's a wonderful life. You've received many blessings, not the least your loving wife. You, in turn, have taught and given us So much we can't repay. So, with all our love, we your family wish you, "Happy Birthday!" Chorus: Douglas Woody Stevens, You're the best-est Dad. You've lost your hair, Some say your mind, But you'll never lose our love for you! Douglas Woody Stevens, You're the best Grampa. You've lost your teeth, Sometimes your keys, But we hope we grow up just like you! |
| Alex Measday / E-mail | Index | David Croft's The Family Web |
