Guy Stevenson
Guy Stevenson, 89, of Vulcan, Mo., passed away January 4, 2019, at Parkland Medical Center in Farmington, MO. He was born on December 16, 1929, in Vulcan, Mo., to Thomas and Marie (Charlton) Stevenson.
Guy was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother. He married Patricia Patterson on April 29, 1950.
He served two terms as the Iron County Southern Road Commissioner. He served for many years as a devoted Deacon at Vulcan Assembly of God Church. He retired from the Missouri State Department of Revenue. He served as Sheriff of Piedmont, Mo., in the 1960s. Guy also owned and sold many businesses and land throughout his life.
However, his proudest professional accomplishment was when he was a Bill Monroe Bluegrass Boy in the 1970s. Guy was the oldest of twelve children and with Patricia’s help, they provided a loving home for seven of his brothers and sisters. Guy was a talented entertainer and an avid, self-taught musician and song writer. He loved playing the upright bass and guitar as well as writing Bluegrass Gospel music. He was a familiar face locally and nationally. He played upright bass for Bill Monroe and his talents can be heard on Bill Monroe’s “Bean Blossom” album. He toured with Bill Monroe as one of Bill’s Bluegrass Boys for a year in the mid-1970s. He won “Best Bass Player of the Year” three years in a row thereafter. While touring with Bill Monroe, Guy had the honor of performing at the White House and the Grand Ole Opry. With his own Bluegrass Gospel band, Guy played at the Missouri State Governor’s Mansion. In the 1990s, Guy was recognized by Kentucky State Governor Patton for his talents and love of Bluegrass music and was named an Honorary Kentucky Colonel. In more recent years, Guy’s talent for songwriting was recognized when a song he helped co-write lyrics to, “Southern Flavor,” was awarded the “Best Gospel Song of the Year” from the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2014. In 2017, Guy received his last recognition and was awarded the “Pioneer of Missouri Bluegrass Music” from the Missouri Bluegrass Preservation Association.
He shared all these great accomplishments with his loving wife of sixty-eight years, Patricia, who, like any other day in his life, was by his side holding his hand as he slipped away to glory.
In addition to his wife, Guy leaves behind a daughter, Beverly Stevenson of Lesterville, Mo.; grandchildren: Dale Allen of Lesterville, Mo.; Brande (Allen) Russell and husband, Butch, of Lesterville; great-grandchildren: Lane Allen, Lance Allen, Mindy Magil, Devin Russell, and Damen Russell, all of Lesterville; brothers: Vernon Stevenson and wife, Rosetta, of Vulcan; Jerry Stevenson and wife, Jenna, of Clarence, Mo.; Gary Stevenson and wife, Rita, of Lucas, Ken.; sisters: Patsy Potter of Piedmont; Shirley Caldwell of Puxico, Mo.; Charlotte McLain and husband, Dennis, of O’Fallon, Mo.; Carolyn Fulton and husband, Robert. of Patterson, Mo.; and a host of nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by both his parents; one daughter, Ellen Marie Stevenson; one great-grandchild,Landen Allen; brothers: Eugene, Dickie, and Lowell Stevenson; and sister, Malba Clifford. Guy will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Visitation was held at 4:00 pm, Monday, January 7, 2019, at Vulcan Assembly of God Church in Vulcan. Funeral services followed at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, also at Vulcan Assembly of God Church. Pastor Daniel Tidmore ministered to the family. Dale Allen, Butch Russell, Lane Allen, Lance Allen, Devon Russell and Damon Russell served as pallbearers. Burial was at Sutton Cemetery in Vulcan. Online condolences can be made at www.rueggfuneralhomes.com
