Jesse Louis Stevens, Jr.

Jesse Louis Stevens, Jr. passed away on October 28th, 2022, at his home, after a long battle with Multiple
System Atrophy (MSA) a rare form of Parkinson's disease. Born August 5, 1942, Jesse was a lifelong resident
of Jacksonville and was raised on the Northside of town in the Northshore neighborhood. He was the son of
the late Jesse Louis Stevens and Marie (Grandoff) Stevens, and brother to the late Stevanie "Sandra"
Richards (Jim) of Fayetteville, Georgia. Jesse attended Andrew Jackson High School in the class of ‘61.
Jesse worked for Southeast Wheel and Rim and several car dealerships before beginning his career in the
Telephony and Information Technology field. He began as a lineman for Southern Bell in 1966 and worked his
way to becoming a National Account Service Manager (NASM) with AT&T, following the divesture of the Bell
System in 1984. Following those 18 years, Jesse worked briefly as a Vice President of Telecommunications at
Florida National Bank, and then partnered with a peer and established Advanced Communication Resources.
ACR was a small, but very successful company that provided low voltage cable and fiber optic installation
services. He later worked for, and retired from, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida in 2006. Throughout his
career he was a teacher and mentor to many people that today credit much of their own success to his
guidance and wisdom.
Jesse was known as a big man with an even bigger personality. His charisma charmed everyone he came in
contact with and he was the person you always hoped would come to your party. His sense of humor and
storytelling abilities entertained listeners with stories of growing up on the Trout River, building engines, riding
motorcycles & dune buggies, hunting adventures, mishaps at work and so on. Many people have referred to
his “storytelling” as always making them belly laugh.
An avid car and hot rod enthusiast, Jesse was a drag racing participant. In the early to mid-1960’s he raced
multiple cars at dragstrips in North Florida’s Fernandina, Jacksonville, and Green Cove Springs areas. He
would tell you that he won a few trophies but won even fewer dollars in between.
Jesse joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the civilian volunteer force of the United States Coast Guard,
September 17, 1997. He held many appointed positions in the Arlington Flotilla rising quickly to the elected
position of Flotilla Commander. In 2011, Jesse was elected to the position of Division Commander for the
greater Jacksonville area which had a membership of over 350 members. In 2013, he was appointed by the
USCG Auxiliary District 7 Commodore to Area Sector Coordinator (the singular link coordinating activities
between the Coast Guard active duty and the USCG Auxiliary, from St Mary’s, GA, to Cape Canaveral, FL).
During his time as an active Auxiliarist, Jesse earned fifteen service ribbons and medals. Most notable is the
Auxiliary Achievement Medal for excellence in Surface Operations that entitled Jesse to wear the distinguished
Coxswain Insignia.
Jesse is survived by his wife of 31 years, Richelle "Shell" Stevens, three daughters: LeeAnn Stevens, Susan
Boughton (Bill), Jennafer Hayes (Eric), and son Jesse L. Stevens III (Stephen), and five grandchildren: David
Nisky, Evan Nisky, Zachary Tolen, Chase Stevens and Katie Hayes. 
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 12th, 2022, at 3 p.m. at Cedar Bay Funeral Home,
405 New Berlin Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32218. Following the service, the family welcomes friends, and
associates to visit his home for food and fellowship.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Community Hospice, the Multiple System Atrophy Coalition or the
Humane Society.

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