THOMAS RALPH STEVENS
Thomas Ralph Stevens passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on October 4, 2022. He was 94 years old. Tom was born to Julia and Ralph Stevens in 1927 in Snoqualmie, WA.
Tom is survived by his sister, Marian George, his daughter Michelle Stevens (Chris Oshiro), his son Tod Stevens (Judy Stevens), son Mark Stevens (Jan Stevens, grandchildren Sabrina and Tommy Stevens. Tom’s beloved wife, Vaida Stevens, proceeded him in death. They were married 68 years.
Tom grew up in WA. After high school he joined the army. He was an athlete and played football and boxed for the army. College was next. Preferring logging, he worked in WA then CA. There he met the love of his life, Vaida. They married in 1953 and spent their first years together in Cummings where their three children were born.
The family moved to Oroville in 1959 when Tom found work on Oroville Dam. The hard work of underground construction suited him. His successful career includes several major construction projects ranging as far as Colorado.
Tom was a Man’s man. He loved fishing, hunting, clamming, diving for abalone, camping and the great outdoors. Each of his children grew up loving nature. Tom was a complicated, interesting and funloving man. He was boy scout master, Mason, belonged to the Eagles and Feather River Lapidary club. He loved playing Cribbage. He and Vaida ran the local Cribbage Club for many years. Tom competed in cribbage tournaments around the west, earning the title of Grand Master. Tom had his own lapidary shop where he cut and polished beautiful stones turning them into prized jewelry which he and Vaida sold at Arts and Crafts events.
Tom was an avid gardener. He transformed their home into a year-round flowering oasis including a cactus garden, flower beds, garden beds and many fruit trees.
At the end of his life, Tom expressed gratitude for what a great life he had. He had a wonderful wife, good friends, many adventures, and he was so proud of the success of his three children and dearly loved his grandchildren. He can rest comfortably knowing his wicked and somewhat ribald sense of humor is alive and well in his children. A non-denominational celebration of life will be held at Scheer Memorial Chapel in Oroville, CA at 10:00 am on March 22. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Vaida Stevens Education Scholarship. Donations can be sent to Oroville Union High School District, 2211 Washington Ave, Oroville, CA 95966. Checks should be payable to Oroville High School with "Vaida Stevens Education Scholarship" in the memo line.