Biographical Info

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Oct 6, 1940, son of Carlyle and Mary Ellen Stevens, Thomas Jeffrey Stevens grew up in Texas. Graduating from college at Texas Christian University, Jeff attended medical school at Baylor University, where he assisted in the first open-heart transplant surgery. After completing his internship in San Francisco, Jeff served his residency in Psychiatry at UCLA. Upon concluding his four-year residency, he was asked to stay on another year as Chief Resident. Finishing at UCLA, Jeff next lived and worked for a year in the South of France. Returning to the Los Angeles area, Jeff married the love of his life in 1974, his dear wife Sherrie in Bel Air, California. Anyone privileged to know this remarkable couple would readily testify to their exceptional marriage – a true love affair. Rarely a cross word passed between them. They were a constant support and help to each other, valuing their roles as husband and wife, then father and mother, above all others. Honeymooning in Europe, they were blessed to become pregnant with their first child, Jeremiah, who was later born in Forest Knolls, California in 1975. Living internationally again, they spent a year in Montreal, Canada where Jeffrey received further training in Family Medicine, in addition to working with a program for dying modeled after St. Christopher’s. Relocating to Santa Barbara a year later, Jeff worked with both Hospice and in psychiatry. Here they rejoiced at the birth of their daughter Mary-Claire in 1977, followed soon after by the wonderful addition of their son Jonathan in 1980. By then, they were living in Wenatchee, Washington, where Jeffrey practiced psychiatry for eight years, as well as serving as the Medical Director for Hospice. Relocating temporarily to Charlotte, North Carolina, they returned to the Northwest in 1988, happily settling in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. In 1990, they were blessed with the birth of their fourth precious gift from God, their youngest son, Joshua. For the past 20 years, Jeffrey practiced psychiatry in Coeur d’Alene at Kootenai Medical Center and in private practice. Truly a devoted doctor, Jeff was cherished by his patients, while sincerely admired by his colleagues. The loss of this gentle, empathetic soul has been felt deeply within the whole community. One could not tell even a short rendering of Jeff’s life without mentioning the significance of his faith. Thirty-five years ago, Jeff experienced a truly life-changing conversion. Previously, Jeff discounted the Christian concept of “God”, adopting a solely intellectual approach to life. Confronted with the reality of the living Christ, Jeffrey’s life was profoundly impacted. Upon surrendering his life to Christ, Jeff set forth on a life-long journey towards true worship of the living God. Particularly touched by the humility he saw in Jesus, Jeff endeavored to live this out within his own life, by the grace of God. Jeff loved spending time with his family, including his beloved wife and four children, as well as his daughter-in-law Julia and son-in-law Adam. Enjoying his role as grandfather, Jeff delighted in his two granddaughters, Sophia and Tahlia In addition, Jeff enjoyed planting flowers, listening to music, reading and the arts. Serving tirelessly, Jeffrey was a life-giving soul, generously offering genuine love and compassion. As his wife noted, Jeff had the unique gift of living in the present moment – not looking to the future or the past, but embracing all of life around him. On March 6, 2008, Jeffrey fell asleep in the Lord. He will be terribly missed by all.

Thomas Stevens (Printable PDF)