Donnell T. Stevens

STEVENS, Donnell T. Stevens passed away at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico unexpectedly on June 9, 2011. Born in 1934 in Altoona, PA, he was a graduate of the Milton Hershey School in Hershey, Pennsylvania. He was a Navy veteran during the Korean War and proudly served on board the attack carrier U.S. S. Bennington. He was on board the Bennington in 1954 when it experienced a devastating catapult explosion that killed over 103 crew members and he narrowly missed being caught in the explosion himself. He fought an early private fight against homophobia in the Navy. Don worked for 30 years for AMP Corp. in Harrisburg, PA. For many years he served the youth of Pennsylvania as a volunteer Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America and is fondly remembered by many of those young men he helped guide. He was awarded the Vigil Honor Order of the Arrow and the Silver Beaver Award both from the Boy Scouts of America for his service to youth. He took Scouting crews on numerous challenging backpack trips to Philmont Scout Ranch in northern New Mexico. He was commended by both the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Senate and House of Representatives for his service to the youth of Pennsylvania. New Mexico became his second home and upon retirement he moved to Albuquerque, NM in 1994. In 2001 he was a founding member of the American Veterans for Equal Rights Bataan Chapter. As a member he has supported and worked for the rights of Gays to serve openly in the service of our country. He worked with the MPower program of HIV prevention for young men, was a member of the Prime Timers International men's group, and Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbian and Gays (PFLAG) in Albuquerque. He was preceded in death by his mother and father. He is survived by his cousins, Dr .Donald Patton, Charles S. Russell, and John Neely, his Godson, Wade Huggins, and his many friends and adopted community family in Albuquerque. He remained to the end, as he always has been, his usual caring, outgoing and supportive self. Don will be fondly remembered by all of his family, friends and associates and we will greatly miss his presence. A Graveside Service will be held at 10:00 am, Thursday, June 23, 2011, Vista Verde Memorial Park, 4310 Sara Road SE, Rio Rancho, NM. A celebration of Don’s life will be held at a later date. Don’s care has been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services Sara Road Chapel 4310 Sara Road SE Rio Rancho, New Mexico 87124 505-892-9920