Leon Stevens
Born: March 26th, 1944
Died: July 6th, 2019
Obituary
Leon Stevens
March 26, 1944 - July 6, 2019
Leon Stevens was born March 26, 1944 to Gus and Rosalee Stevens in Bakersfield, Ca. Leon was the oldest of five children and was raised in Delano California. Leon passed away on July 6, 2019 in Shafter, California.
Leon is presided in death by his parents and sister Sheila. He is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Rebeca, their son Joshua and a grandson, due to arrive in November, 3 sons: Darryl, Leon Jr., and Noel Stevens and 3 daughters Sherron Moore, Tigen Rosales, and Deniese Mayfield and 6 grandchildren Kaelah and Brandon Stevens, Elexie Moore, Matthew and Ari Rosales, and Morgan Mayfield. Along with his 2 sisters Dorothy Lucas, Ingrid Farinas and brother Rick Stevens and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Leon graduated from Delano High School in 1962. Leon was well known for his kind and loving spirit and contagious smile. Leon was a 3-sport athlete and excelled in Football, Track and Basketball. Leon’s athletic abilities were honored in 2010 when he was inducted into the Delano High School Hall of Fame.
After high school Leon attended Bakersfield College to pursue a business degree and decided to focus his athletic efforts on Football where he averaged 100 yards per game, and is still in the record books today at Bakersfield College as one of the top 24 Running Backs for his record in rushing over 1200 yards during the 1963-64 season which still stands today nearly 55 years later.
Leon concluded his season at BC and earned the distinct award of All American in the Metropolitan Conference and was awarded a Full-ride Football scholarship to Arizona State University.
In 1968 Leon was drafted into the army and he served his country during the Vietnam War. He attended Quartermaster Specialty School at Fort Lee in Virginia and received a Diploma in Stock Control and Accounting. In 1971 Leon received an Honorable Discharge and moved back to Delano to work with the family owned business Stevens Transportation, Inc. formerly Stevens Trucking and remained employed with company up until the time of his death.
Over the years Leon enjoyed many things including sports, skiing, raising chickens but most of all he loved people whether related by blood, friend, co-worker, neighbor, stranger on the street he loved everyone and people loved him. His infectious smile made people instantly want to smile and his jovial and fun-loving spirit could be felt the moment you began talking to him and he will truly be missed by all!