- Date Of Birth: June 9, 1943
- Date Of Death: December 31, 2010
- State: Indiana
James Dewey Stevens, 67, of Elkhart, passed away on Friday (Dec. 31, 2010) at Elkhart General Hospital after losing a hard and bravely fought battle with pancreatic cancer. James was born June 9, 1943, in East Grand Rapids, Mich., to the late Don and Wendy (Lewakowski) Stevens.
He is survived by his wife, Laura of Elkhart; daughters Margaret (Justin) O’Sullivan of Franklin, Tenn., Kathryn of Watertown, Mass., and Betsy of Elkhart; stepdaughters Jennifer (David) Tom of Elkhart and Mindy (Arnold) Klahr of Elkhart; grandchildren Nola and Neve O’Sullivan, Mackenzie, Olivia, and Jackson Klahr and Amber, Whitney and Zachary Tom; sisters Judy (Bill) Everts of Lansing, Mich., Margaret (Dan) Peoples of San Diego, and Sylvia (Allen Berenson) Stevens of McLean, Va.; and several nieces and nephews.
James’ son, Don Shane, preceded him in death.
James attended Michigan State University and received his B.S. and J.D. degrees from the University of West Los Angeles. He began practicing law in Elkhart in 1977 and continued to practice for more than 30 years at the state and federal trial levels. James has served as president of the Elkhart City Bar Association and was also active in pro bono civil rights cases including the representation of developmentally disabled persons in his community.
James’ favorite activities included boating, golfing, cheering on the Michigan State Spartans and the Detroit Lions and Tigers, and traveling to Mexico.
