March 12, 1965 - September 19, 2009

The kindest soul, a unique, honest, brilliant man with an insane sense of humor

John made the trek from Long Island, New York to Seattle way back in 1990.

During his time in Seattle, John worked at a few different office jobs, finally arriving at the Cobalt Group for whom he worked 11 years. Wherever he worked he always regaled his co-workers with amusing, unique anecdotes and observations about work, the power structure, politics, literature, public transportation, and any observation of bad smells in the office (or elsewhere).

John was the poet of complaining; he made complaining a literary art as well as a stand up routine. John's name should be included in the Webster's definition of Sardonic, which means disdainfully or skeptically humorous, derisively mocking.

Above his brilliance and good humor, John will be remembered for his overwhelming kindness to others. John accepted people as they are. He appreciated people who are different, and always reached out to those who were considered weird by the mainstream of society. He was caring, sensitive and had a righteous indignation at all injustice.

John loved animals, especially cats. He knew every cat in his neighborhood by name and always said hello to them. He knew all of his friends' cats just as well. He would share stories of his meetings with cats with everyone.

John will be missed but always remembered for all the above. Rest in peace John D. Stevens, we will always love you.

John is survived by his parents Steve and Aphrodite Stevens, his Sister, Ann & nephew Sebastian (Long Island), his soul mate Maria Williams (Seattle), as well as numerous loving friends in Seattle: Mikko Staten, Keith & Heather Trumble, Sophia Miyazaki, Roy Mouj, Carolyn Rue Gomard, Janelle Le, Aimee Soileau, Kenmar Bual, Rich Stoehr, Josh Dand, Phyllis Pinkham, Melissa Satterwhite, Jeff Mayfield, Blake Lovell, Angie Falkenhainer, Deborah Thogersen, Jason Potter, Kevin Hicks, Alycia Buchholz, Sam Mohawk, Sebastian Talbot, Treva Patow, Matt Matte, Randy Long, Christine Wilson, Ron Eddy and Takako Yamazaki.

FUNERAL INFORMATION

John's Memorial Gathering will be held Sunday October 11th at 11:00 AM at the University of Washington Botanic Gardens - Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 NE 41st Street, Seattle, WA 98105. Free parking is available on the Center for Urban Horticulture grounds.

DONATIONS

In honor of John's memory, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Seattle Humane Society. Once you have gone to the link posted below, click on the green donate button. In the section "Please provide the name of the person" be sure to indicate "In Memory of John D. Stevens"

There's also an acknowledgment section, should you wish to send a note to John's parents. Please use the following address:

Maria Williams 903 Union Apt 1000 Seattle WA 98101

Maria will forward the acknowledgment letters to John's parents in Long Island.

Memorial

Just as the Wave Cannot Exist

Just as the wave cannot exist for itself, but is ever a part of the heaving surface of the ocean, so must I never live my life for itself, but always in the experience which is going on around me. It is an uncomfortable doctrine which the true ethics whisper into my ear. You are happy, they say; therefore you are called upon to give much.

Albert Schweitzer