He was a lifelong resident of Sedalia and a member of East Sedalia Baptist Church since 1940. He attended Whittier School. During the summers, he walked the streets of Warrensburg with his grandfather and the ice cream wagon. He was in the Army for a time, stationed in Eugene, Oregon. Early in his working career he enjoyed working at Callis Furniture, as a plumber apprentice, and delivering ice on the Ice Truck in Sedalia. He worked at Adco, Inc. for 43 years before retiring. He was also the weekly custodian for the Trinity Lutheran Church for 38 years, where he received an award for his dedication and service.
He enjoyed taking care of his yard, taking a daily drive through town and the park, fishing, going to Ryan’s on Saturdays, and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by a daughter, Linda Sudduth, and her husband, Larry, of Sedalia; a son, Kenneth Stevenson, and his wife, Jan, of Charleston, Missouri; a twin sister, Lela Hendrickson, of Sedalia; a special friend, Betty Beaman, who resides at the home; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a brother, William Stevenson.
Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 17, at Heckart Funeral Home, with the Rev. Sid Mabry Jr. officiating.
Casket bearers will be Archie Shireman, Monte Moon, Vic VanDyne, Randy Vinson, John Higgins and Denny Smethers.
Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Heckart Funeral Home.
James J. Stevenson, 86, of Sedalia, died Monday, April 13, 2009, at Bothwell Regional Health Center.
He was born May 30, 1922, at his home south of Sedalia, the son of James Albert and Gussie May (Burford) Stevenson. On June 12, 1943, he married Sylvia Moon, who preceded him in death on March 9, 1994.
