Gary Arvel Stevens
October 28, 1955 ~ February 28, 2011
LINDEN,TX Funeral services for Gary Arvel Stevens, 55, of Linden, will be at 2:00 pm, Thursday, March 3, 2011 at First Baptist Church in Linden with Bros. Jackie Stanfield and Trey ORear officiating. Interment will be in Linden Cemetery under the direction of Reeder-Davis-Schindler Funeral Home. Visitation will be 6 to 8 pm Wednesday at the funeral home. Gary was born October 28, 1955 in Tyler to Arvel and Bobbie Mitchum Stevens. He passed away Monday, February 28, 2011, surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with Hepatic Carcinoma. He was a 1974 graduate of Chapel Hill High School where he was voted Friendliest. Gary never met a stranger and was loved and admired by all who knew him. He was the Field Supervisor for Texas Electric, Inc., Tyler, and a member of First Baptist Church, Linden, where he taught Sunday School and was an usher. His father, Arvel Stevens and a grandson, Lincoln Garyt Allen preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife, Jeanie ORear Stevens of Linden; his mother, Bobbie Stevens of Whitehouse; three daughters and sons-in-law, Natalie and Jeremy Allen of Lindale, Summer and Justin Cooner of Jefferson, and Jennifer and Patrick Stewart of Longview; six grandchildren, Peyton Long and Burkelyn Allen, Aiden and Ashlyn Cooner, and Madison and Gatlin Stewart; a special cousin, Debbie Smith of Union, SC; a special brother-in-law, Tom ORear of Linden; three nephews and families, Trey and Josephine ORear and Lucy of Nacogdoches, Cass and Lauren ORear of Abu Dhabi, UAE, and Drew ORear of Linden. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Linden; Linden Cemetery Association or Life Care Hospice in Longview.
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It is so easy for me to believe that Gary was voted Friendliest in high school. He was a big part of my summers, whether he was with us in Huntsville or we were in Whitehouse with family there. I was once told that when we die, we fall into the lap of God. I am sure Gary is safe there today. Please accept my condolences and prayers for all of you at this time.
We were so blessed to have known Gary. We will miss his beautiful presence,but it warms our hearts to think of him with Jesus. We are here for you, Jeanie.
Jeanie…my heart is broken for you. Gary was a such a friend to all and brought so much light into your life. There is no doubt that Gary is with the Lord and is probably swapping Linden stories with Milton and Dood. I wish I could be there with you during this time, but you are in my thoughts and prayers. Love to you always…Andra
I'm going to miss you! Jeanie and family, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Gary's sweet nature and warm smile will be very much missed in this world but he will be another shining light in Heaven. We will miss him.
JeanieMy heart aches for you and your family. May God comfort you and give you peace. Will keep you in my prayers. Elaine
Jeanie,I am so sorry to hear about your lose. My prayers are with you and your family. Phyllis
Gary was a good friend to my dad who passed 11 years ago and my uncle Morgan, my dad's brother. Sorry to hear about this news.
Jeanie and family: I was truly saddened when I learned of Gary's death. I will not be able to attend the funeral, but please know that my thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Jeanie, Natalie, Jeremy, Peyton, Burkelyn, Summer, Justin, Aiden, Ashlynn, Jennifer, Patrick, Madison, Gatlin and Bobbie…I have no words to make the pain go away. I have no magic wand. I can only tell you that I know where Gary Arvel is right now. He is with Jesus and he has probably found Lincoln Garyt and they are having a "Big Daddy/grandson" chat. They have gone ahead of us and we will see them again. I will forever be grateful for the beautiful daughters that Gary and I shared together and for the beautiful grandchildren we were further bestowed with. Know that I will be praying for each of you…With my heart, Marisa
we will miss Gary so much. He lit up the room w/ his smile. Gary has gone ahead of us, but he is certainly not dead. What a great welcome to Heaven, to know Gary will be there when we arrive all my love
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course I have kept the faith:in the future there is laid up for me the crown of rightousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing." 2 Timothy 4 7-8Our hearts are broken now but one of these days we will all be together.
Sorry for your loss.. Gary was such a fun person to be around..
Jeanie, I was so sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I pray that your faith will give you the strength to get through the days ahead. I am going to try to make the service.Patricia
Gary was my best friend all through school. We were inseparable. The good times we had would fill a novel many times over. The world was a better place with him in it. Its a shame we didn't get together more as we got older. Anyone that knew him was drawn to his magnetic personality.I will miss him forever!
So sorry to hear of your loss. Gary was such fun to be around growing up. He lived up the road from me growing up and we road the bus together as well as graduated together. Those were sure some good times. He used to pester me in class and i think I even stabbed him in the arm with a pencil. Only good thoughts come to mind when I remember him!! Heaven has another Angel. God Bless his family and loved ones.
You all are in our thoughts & prayers. Gary will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him! Love, Tiffany & David Davlin
Jeannie and family, I am so very sorry for your great loss. Gary was always so very nice to everyone, your familys loss is definately Heavens gain. He is at peace, with no more pain, and God will lift you and your family during your grief. Love, prayers and kisses from Jerry and Patsy Dreesen
To the Stevens family –Although I only met Gary once or twice, I know how much Billy & Morgan Herron thought of him. Billy considered him to be his best friend, as did Morgan. He will be missed by everyone that knew him. Thoughts & prayers are with you all ~
My thoughts and prayers are with Gary's family and friends at this time. I will always remember his warm smile and laugh, and that he was always a gentleman. A classmate you loved to have, one of the best! May he rest in peace.Sincerely, Suzanne Hargett
I will miss my bear hugs;no one but Gary could give you a hug and you knew you had been hugged. I will be praying for all of you. Geraldine Stevens Moore
Jeannie, I am so sorry for your loss. I always thought so highly of Gary. I always told him he reminded me of my husband Scott, they could have been brothers..you will be in my prayers.
Praising & thanking God for the gift/blessing of Gary's precious life & the friendship and great times we shared during our days growing up together at Chapel Hill. Those were great fun times! Cherished memories! Praise God our treasured friendship does not end on earth because I know Gary is healed & having fun in heaven. 🙂 Brothers&sisters in Christ will reunite with Gary and have fun together for eternity in our home in heaven. My sympathy & prayers for those in mourning. Praying the joy of the Lord that shined so brightly through Gary will cheer and comfort your hearts as you remember him & celebrate his earthly life & now his promotion to his eternal life in heaven. "Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4 With the love of Christ & prayers, Elizabeth Greer Weakley
We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Mike and Carol Walkera
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Have been thinking of you at this difficult time. Miss you. Love, eps
My daughter went to school with Gary. I worked at Southside Bank in Tyler and he would come by to visit at my window. He was a pleasant and kind person. It was a pleasure to have known him.
Thoughts and prayers are with you.
I was a classmate of Gary's and want you to know that he was a very nice person, even then. I am so sorry for your loss.
So very sorry to hear of your loss. May God hold you and your family in the palm of his hand and give you peace and comfort.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers!
Dear Gary's Family,I am a good friend of Summer and her Mom- Marisa. I never met Gary, but heard only wonderful things about him. I know that he is in Heaven holding little Lincoln and that you will see them both again. I wanted to say that I'm sending many prayers and love and am thinking of you all. May God give you all lots of comfort. BreAnna
Jeannie, I was so very sorry to hear of Gary's passing. Please know that you and your family and Gary's family are in my thoughts and prayers. May God be with you and yours.
Gary was one of best friends during our school years. He was very dear to me and anyone else who ever had the opportunity to spend any quality time with him. His smile could light up a room and his charming personality would make a dark day better. His heart was bigger than Texas. He was loved and will be missed, but one day I will walk with him again in Heaven.
Jeannie, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You have always been special to me. Jackie M. Harrod