Dow Stevens

Dow Oliver Stevens, age 90, of Wyoming (Grandville), Michigan passed away at home on Friday, February 27, 2026. Dow was born on January 13, 1936 to Arno “Doc” and Ida (Manier) Stevens and was one of nine children. Born and raised in Atlanta, Michigan, he graduated from high school in 1954. After graduation, Dow moved to San Antonio, Texas to join the U.S. Air Force, and shortly after he met the love of his life, Mary “Cathy” (Whitmar) Stevens. They married on June 20, 1959 at Randolph Air Force Base and started a family soon after. Once leaving the Air Force, he moved back to Michigan with his family and started working for Pontiac Motors (GM).

Dow was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.  He had a big heart and cared deeply about the wellbeing of his family, friends, and the common man.  There was not one of his siblings, children, or grandchildren that he did not help at one point or another in their lives.  He took under his wing his sister-in-law, Beth Ann, whom he called “BT” (which lovingly stood for bad temper and better training), and ensured that she was safe and well.  She considered him a brother.

After retirement, Dow bought a fifth wheel and dually truck, and it was the first of many RV’s that he would own.  He and Cathy loved RV’ing with friends and family. They took his parents on a trip across the country to Arizona to see the Grand Canyon, and they traveled to many places in the United States for a period of over 25 years.  One of their favorite things to do was set up camp in RV parks in Michigan and have their grandchildren come stay with them to swim in the pool, play around the park, and experience the RV life.

Dow was a true handyman who either knew or learned how to fix many things.  He undertook numerous projects, household and otherwise. Other things that Dow thoroughly enjoyed were working on and fixing cars for family and friends, doing electrical work, hunting, fishing (he once caught a 26 lb King Salmon on Lake Michigan!), trips up north to Atlanta to visit his family, yearly summer and occasional holiday trips to Texas to visit his wife’s family and the friends he made while living in Texas, watching Detroit Tigers and Lions games, and spending time with his great grandchildren. He often and playfully referred to his great granddaughters, Stella and Scarlett, as the ”sawdust” twins.  His grandchildren and great grandchildren were a source of great joy in Dow’s life.

He was most proud of the time he served in the U.S. Air Force, working as an aircraft mechanic and participating in centrifuge testing for the SR-71 Blackbird Program.  He was also very proud to be a Free Mason and of his work as a United Auto Workers Benefits Representative, the last position he would have with GM before retiring.  He was deeply committed to representing his fellow employees and earned their utmost respect for his dedication and integrity.

Throughout their lives Dow and Cathy lived in the states of Michigan, Texas, and Tennessee. In every neighborhood they lived, including the one they lived in for a short period of time after moving back to Michigan, they were so blessed to have the absolute best neighbors who were good, kind, and caring people.  Dow also made many lifelong friends and he continued to stay in touch with them until the end.  Dow and Cathy’s family will forever be grateful for these relationships as they brought great joy and happiness to their parents’ lives.

Dow’s presence will  be dearly missed.

Dow was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Darwin Stevens, LaMonde Wasek, Rodney Stevens, and Randall Stevens; and great grandson, Joseph Dow Hayes.

He will be lovingly remembered by his children, Dawn (Bryan) Zudel, Sherrie (Timm) Kobayashi, Michael Stevens, and Mark (Andrea) Stevens; grandchildren, Ryan Stevens, Chelsea Newsbaum, Lauren (Joseph) Hayes, Travis Stevens, Cody Newsbaum, Mitchell Kobayashi, and Nathan (Heather) Kobayashi; step-grandchildren Caylah (Daniel) Bowden, Andrew (Catie) Zudel, and Angel (Wesley) Sanders;  great grandchildren, Hunter Kobayashi, twins Stella and Scarlett Hayes, and Hudson Kobayashi; sisters and brothers, Sandra Stevens, Thomas Stevens, Stephen Stevens, and Pamela Kindel; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be held Tuesday, March 24, at 11 am at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 3937 Wilson Ave SW, Grandville, MI for both Dow and Cathy as they passed within four days of each other.  Father Douglas Braun will be officiating. Interment will take place at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas in the month of June.  Those who wish may make memorial contributions to St. Pius X Catholic Church or the Wounded Warriors Project.