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D'Arcy Richard Stevens, Jr.

March 29, 1954 — July 7, 2018

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Weldon Cemetery

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D'Arcy Richard Stevens, Jr.

SUMMERFIELD, LA: D'Arcy Richard Stevens, Jr. was born on March 29, 1954 in El Dorado, Arkansas. He entered his eternal home on July 7, 2018 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's. He was preceded in death by his father, D'Arcy Richard Stevens, Sr. and mother, Cecil Marie Rea Stevens of Bernice. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Patricia Shirey Stevens, sons, Richard and Walt, and daughter Anna Claire, grandson, Ayrton Ralston, granddaughters Laney Williams and Ellie Stevens, sister, Jane Clair Brown and husband, Ronald Keith "Skipper," niece, Chrisanna Saums and husband Robert, niece, Averie Brown and husband Adam, brothers-in-law, Steven Shirey, David Shirey, and wife Donna, George Shirey and wife, Debbie, nieces, Amanda Shirey, Presley Shirey and Jordan Branch, nephew, Ty Shirey and wife Emily, seven great nephews, Christian, Jackson, and Walt Saums, Ross and Rhett Brown, Liam and Roman Shirey, and a whole host of cousins. In 1968, he and his family moved from El Dorado, Arkansas to Summerfield. D'Arcy graduated from Summerfield High School in 1973 and earned a Bachelor's and Master's degree in education from Louisiana Tech. In 1977, he began his teaching and coaching career at Homer Jr. High and in 1980, joined the staff at Homer High School as a teacher and coach. During his time at Homer High School he coached football, basketball, baseball, golf, and track. One year he actually coached all five sports. He was an avid historian and loved to share his knowledge of American history, especially of the Civil War and World War II. He had a great love and respect of any veteran who served our country and went out of his way to acknowledge them by shaking their hand and thanking them for their service. In 1995, he was named principal of Homer High School. Coach Stevens was known as a strict disciplinarian who loved his students and players. He truly cared about their well-being and development. After losing his mother to cancer and while serving as principal of Homer High School he organized and established the St. Jude Opry. For a number of years he brought in a variety of local talent, as well as several out of state performers. Each year they were able to make sizeable donations to St. Jude. He completed his professional career as principal of his Alma Mater, Summerfield High School, beginning in 2001 and retiring in 2010. He loved Summerfield High School. His time at Summerfield was made extra-special because he discovered the joys of elementary children. He often said that he wished he had discovered the world of elementary education earlier. The teachers and children always made his day. D'Arcy loved people and was known as a peacemaker, something his mother had instilled in him. This skill served him well, whether he was dealing with issues between faculty and staff members or angry parents. He took great pride in establishing the Summerfield Academic Foundation and organizing the first school auction funds to enhance and enrich the lives of the students of Summerfield. D'Arcy also served as a member of Claiborne Parish Police Jury, as well as Gideon's International. As an avid outdoorsman he loved to hunt deer, ducks, turkeys, and squirrels. He did it all. He also loved fishing; so much so, that he was late for his wedding because he and his cousin, Bobby, were "tearing up the bream on Corney Lake and just couldn't leave'em while they were biting." In his later years, he enjoyed investing his time instilling a love of the outdoors in the next generation of outdoorsmen. He received so much pleasure in teaching young people all he knew about hunting. He helped to organize the first Claiborne Parish Ducks Unlimited Chapter, Claiborne Greenwing Chapter, and also served with the Bernice Chapter. He was named Area Chairman of the Year for the state of Louisiana in 1986. As a skilled duck caller he was named the Louisiana State Duck Calling Champion in 1982 and competed in the World Championship in Stuttgart, Arkansas where he placed 11^th out of 52. Over the years he won numerous other contests throughout Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Arkansas. D'Arcy was a born again Christian and loved the Lord. His greatest desire was for everyone to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Before his illness robbed him of the ability to think clearly and speak, he voiced many prayers for salvation of people he knew as well as strangers he met on the street. He knew where he would spend eternity. Do you? Funeral services were held for Mr. D'Arcy Richard Stevens, Jr. at Summerfield High School Gymnasium, Hwy 9, Summerfield, LA, on Thursday, July 12, 2018, at 10:30 A.M., with Rev. Jeff Hurst and Rev. Tyler Shirey, officiating. Interment followed at Weldon Cemetery in Bernice, LA. The family received friends at the gymnasium from 9-10:30 A.M., prior to the service. Pallbearers were Skipper Brown, Gary Morgan, William Colvin, Ricky Rea, George Shirey, David Shirey, Steve Shirey, Robert Prince, Rodney Rea and Doc Lee. Honorary pallbearers were Huey Rhodes, Earl Norwood, Wayne Volentine, Mike Blackwelder, Ronnie McKenzie and Jerry Atkins. In lieu of flowers honoring Mr. D'Arcy, his family suggests the Alzheimer's Association, Pisgah Baptist Church Building Fund, and Summerfield Academic Foundation.

Rose-Neath Funeral Home

Homer Chapel (318) 927-6110

www.rose-neath.com

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