Charles Ray Stevenson

Charles Ray "Chuck" Stevenson, 96, died peacefully of natural causes, Friday, March 10, 2017 at TenderNest Assisted Living in Billings, MT. A celebration of his life will be held at O'Connor Memorial Chapel on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at 10:00 AM. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service from 9:00-10:00. Interment will follow the service at Mt. Olivet Cemetery with full military honors. Arrangements are in the care of O’Connor Funeral Home. He was born March 7, 1921, in Farmington, MT, the son of Harold and Augusta (Kuchenbuch) Stevenson. Chuck was raised in the Kalispell area and graduated from Sunburst High School. We honor him as one of the last of "The Greatest Generation." He enlisted in the United States Army serving in World War II and the Korean War. The hardships of the Depression and the experiences of war made him the selfless hero he was to all. Back on the home front, he married his beloved, Laura (Doggett) in 1947. Chuck was employed at the Texaco Refinery where he worked as a lab technician. Their family grew to two daughters and a son, before moving to Great Falls in 1956, where Chuck established the family business of Chuck's Texaco/Exxon. Two more daughters completed the family. His career spanned 30 years, always offering full service with a smile! Chuck enjoyed a long well-lived life. He was a member of the Elks, VFW, and Holy Spirit Catholic Church. He liked traveling to any of the National Parks and attending reunions of his US Army Medical 480th Unit. His life was full of love for family, friends, and country. He had a strong work ethic. He liked good food-especially Sunday dinners and playing cards with his family and his good friend and longtime companion, Karen Palmer. We thank her for her continuous help and support. Thank you, too, to Emily Comstock, PA and his many excellent caregivers. Words cannot express our appreciation. He is survived by his daughters and their spouses, Carla and George Byrd of Phillipsburg MT, Susie and Dave Hall of Great Falls MT, Deb and Rene LeVeaux of Billings MT, Sandy and Mark Brajcich of Red Lodge MT, and also his daughter-in-law Kay Stevenson of Boise, ID. He will be sorely missed by his eleven grandchildren Brett McKinney (Mylia), Bryan Hall (Johnna), Erin Kay, Charles J. Stevenson (Laurie), Carlie Caltrider (Todd), Casey Mooney (Loren), Drew LeVeaux (Emily), Ryan Brajcich (Chelsea), Colton Brajcich (Erica), Sarah LeVeaux, and Anna Brajcich. He also leaves the apples of his eye: 9 great-grandchildren with two more on the way. Chuck was preceded in death by his parents and all his brothers and sisters: Lester, Harold and Mike Stevenson, Alice Sedarholm and Margaret Beck. He lost his devoted wife Laura, in 1997, and his only son, Colonel Jay T. Stevenson in 2009. Memorial donations may be made to VFW, 4123 10th Ave S., Great Falls 59405, Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 201 44th Street S., Great Falls 59405, or to the donor's choice.