Grady Everett Stevens, 78, of Miami Springs, Fla., passed away of natural causes on Feb. 19, 2023.
Grady was born Sept. 21, 1944 in Panama City, Fla., to the late Charlie Clifton Stevens and Penetha (Lott) Stevens.
Grady graduated from Cooter (MO) High School, Class of 1962, and married his high school sweetheart, Marilyn Rhea, in 1965.
He joined the U.S. Army and honorably served his country in Vietnam, flying the UH-1 “Huey” and rising to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. During his service he earned several medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal (26 Oak Leaf Cluster).
After returning from the war, he finished his service in Germany then joined the Army National Guard for several years (Arkansas and Tennessee), rising to the rank of Captain.
Grady graduated from Arkansas State University in 1970 with a degree in English. He and Marilyn had three daughters in which he took great pride.
Grady worked as a helicopter pilot in the aerial agriculture and forestry industry throughout his life. In 1980, he moved with his family to Natchitoches, and accepted a position as the manager of the Helicopter Division for International Paper Company, where he retired after serving more than 22 years.
Grady was known to be an excellent pilot, who knew how to give a ride to remember.
Grady was a social man who was a loyal and generous friend to many.
He enjoyed to travel, reading, television and singing one of his many favorite songs. He loved a good drink, a good joke and often played pranks. He took great delight and enjoyment caring for his grandchildren in his retirement. He loved all his dogs through the years from Pepe Poodle to Precious.
Along with his parents, Grady is preceded in death by his sisters Sharon Arnold, Patricia Renfro and Cathy Bartlett.
Left to cherish his memory are his beloved daughters, Marla (Rafael) Alpizar of Miami Springs, Fla., Tiffany Stevens of Dallas and Kara Gradi (Thomas) Worsham of Barnhart, Mo.; grandchildren: Adeline Holyfield, Sofia and Leila Alpizar and Quinten and James Worsham; former wife, Marilyn Stevens; two sisters, Jeanette McClanahan and Shirley Stevens; as well as beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends.
An Interment with military honors is scheduled for Monday, March 6, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Natchez (Miss.) National Cemetery. His son-in-law, Thomas Worsham IV, will officiate.
The family requests that any memorial donations be made to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
