John A. Stevenson, 82, of Circleville, passed away Oct. 29, 2015, from a ruptured brain aneurysm.
John was born March 12, 1933, to the late John Beryl and Florence Adah Grimes Stevenson in Circleville.
He graduated from Circleville High School in 1951 and The Ohio State University in 1955, where he joined the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. In 1955 he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and served as a fighter interceptor pilot flying F-86D jets during the Cold War.
John married Linda Cleveland Given on Jan. 20, 1957, and they lived in Texas and Newfoundland during his service years. John and Linda had three daughters, Jenny, Susan and Sharon.
After service, John returned to Pickaway County and spent many years farming the family farm. John served his community in many capacities, including Farm Bureau, county campaign manager for Jim Rhodes, president of Circleville Chamber of Commerce, founder and president of Ohio Corn Growers Association, president National Corn Growers Association, state executive director USDA Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, federal associate director USDA ASCS, state executive director USDA Farm Service Agency, agricultural specialist for the office of Congressman Boehner, agricultural affairs liaison for Senator Voinovich, agriculture specialist for Ohio EPA, division chief for Ohio Department of Agriculture, board member South Central Power Company, Rotary, Pickaway County Commissioner, Session and Board of Deacons of the Circleville Presbyterian Church, as well as a number of local boards.
John was a member of AMVETS and was active in Sons of the American Revolution and a variety of political efforts. An avid pilot, John was involved in the establishment of the Pickaway County Airport, served on the Airport Authority, and hangared two planes there, including a Van’s RV-9A he built in retirement.
John is survived by his wife, Linda (Given); daughter, Susan; family friend, Rhonda Imler; daughter, Sharon and her spouse, Jacqueline Alvarez; and grandson, Stevenson David Alvarez.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Florence Elisabeth Stevenson; his parents, John Beryl and Florence Adah (Grimes) Stevenson; and daughter, Jennifer Linda.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Circleville Presbyterian Church, 134 E. Mound St., Circleville Ohio 43113; or Forest Cemetery, 905 N. Court St., Circleville, Ohio 43113.
Calling hours will be from 10 a.m. to noon and 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, 2015, at the Wellman Funeral Home, Circleville. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, at the Circleville Presbyterian Church, followed by interment in Forest Cemetery. A gathering and meal will follow at the Presbyterian Church fellowship hall.
Online condolences can be made to www.wellmanfuneralhomes.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
