David Eugene Stevens Sr.

David Eugene Stevens died peacefully early Thursday morning after a very brief illness. He had celebrated his 90 birthday at a wonderful event with his extended th family and dear friends earlier this summer. Gene was predeceased by his wife of over sixty years, Juanita Rivers Stevens, who died in 2008. He is survived by his daughter, Daphne Ellen Stevens, Daphne's husband Aaron Bowers, son David E. Stevens, Jr., son Richard M. Stevens and his wife Mary, grandchildren Carson Ann Bowers, David E. Stevens III, Catherine Elizabeth Stevens Morris (Allen), Lt. Richard Taylor Stevens, Aaron N. Bowers IV, and William R. Bowers, as well as great grandsons Zebulon West-Groover and Trevor G. Bowers. Gene was born June 13th, 1921 in Chattawa, Mississippi, and spent most of his childhood in nearby Magnolia. He met Juanita while she was attending high school in McComb, Mississippi, and they were married upon Gene's return from military service at the end of World War II. Gene served as a lieutenant and then captain in the Army Corps of Engineers in the Pacific theater during the war. After the war, Gene earned a degree in civil engineering from Tulane University in New Orleans. He lectured widely and was published in prestigious professional journals. He worked as a structural engineer for Calvert Iron Works in Atlanta before becoming the regional engineer for the Southeastern United States with the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC). While with the AISC, he advised architects, engineers, and steel fabricators regarding emerging technologies and design techniques in structural steel construction, and he played a major role in seeing that many of the high rise buildings of the 1950's and 1960's were constructed with structural steel. In the early 1960's, Gene was on special assignment with the AISC in New York City to develop and publish the 6th edition of the AISC Manual of Steel Construction and compiled its composite design tables. Gene left the AISC in the mid- 1960's to become co-owner and vice-president of engineering of Bibb Steel Company in Macon, GA. In 1984 he founded David Stevens Associates Consulting Structural Engineers, Inc. with his son, David, in Macon. He was a career-long member of the American Society of Engineers. Gene loved his family and enjoyed having his children and grandchildren surrounding him. He was an avid reader of both both prose and poetry, and could speak authoritatively on virtually any subject. His knowledge of history, both personal and worldwide, was astounding making his recent addiction to crossword puzzles a natural progression. He also loved to cook, especially Cajun cuisine resulting from his southern Mississippi and New Orleans roots. He always enjoyed sharing a good meal and good conversation with his family and friends. Gene and Juanita loved to travel and were often accompanied on their trips by their many dear friends. He enjoyed reminiscing about his adventures all over the United States, Mexico, and Europe. He was a steadfast Christian and a member of Riverside Methodist Church. He was proud of his heritage which was exemplified by his membership in the Society of Mayflower Decendents, the Huguenots Society, and Jamestown Society. He was a noble soul of sterling character and will be sorely missed by many. Visitation will be at Hart's Mortuary 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Saturday, and the service will be Sunday at Riverside Methodist Church Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery. Friends may sign the online register at www.hartsmort.com Hart's Mortuary and Crematory, Cherry Street has charge of arrangements.