We come together to celebrate and remember the vibrant life of Vondell Stevens, who was born on November 1, 1943, in Sulphur Springs, TX, USA, and stepped into eternity on July 16, 2023. He gave his life to Jesus at an early age and he lived with a tender heart towards Him.
He was a generous soul who touched those around him with his jokes and humor. He enjoyed taking the grandkids out to the country to practice shooting. He loved the unlovable and had a great passion for troubled kids.
He spent 20 years as a Heavy Equipment Operator for a cement company before retiring. He spent the rest of his years as a welder. However, most people knew him as a horse trader, wheeler-dealer, and dog trainer. He enjoyed training and demonstrating Border Collies in dog trials. His heart belonged to his animals. He frequently said, “I didn’t smoke or drink, but if there was a 4-legged animal, I owned it!”
Vondell moved to Amarillo, Tx from Paris, Tx when he was 18. At 19, he met his wife Carla at Double Dip while dragging Polk Street. They married two years later on April 5th, 1965.
He is survived by his wife Carla, his children Jamie (Neal) Tosh, Toby Stevens, Shea (Michael) Jackson, his sister Ann Mosley, his brother Kenneth Earl Webster, 10 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren and former daughter-in-law Jodie Stevens.
Vondell now joins his parents Floyd Stevens and Dorothy Bartlett, his stepdad “Skeeter” Webster, his sister Jane Miller, and his brother James Stevens in heaven.
The funeral service will be held Saturday, July 22, 2023, at 10:00 am at Gateway Church, 5416 Dumas Drive, Amarillo, Texas, 79108.
Following the service, Vondell will be laid to rest at 11:45 am at the Llano Cemetery East in the Garden of Resurrection at 34th & Arthur Street, Amarillo, Texas.
Vondell Stevens touched many lives and left an indelible mark on all who knew him. His spirit will live on in the stories, laughter, and love he shared with us. We invite you to share your memories of Vondell and upload photos to his memorial page. Let us remember and celebrate Vondell’s life together, cherishing the moments we shared with him.
Vondell and I met at a Scottish festival in Amarillo. We became fast friends. I had border collies and one needed training. Vondell did a great job with him. We dog trialed together and I learned most of my dog stuff from Vondell.
Always has a smile and lots of laughter. Don’t recon’ I have had a better friend. He would bend over backwards to help anyone.
Vondell, you will be missed!
My Uncle Vondell was one of the kindest gentlest persons ever. He could make the meanest person joyful. He could make the sourest person shout with laughter. He could light up a room with his smile. He loved to tease and pick and there wasn’t a mean bone in his body. My most favorite and treasured childhood memories were when for just a little while we lived with them. Or at Christmas or Thanksgiving or Family Reunion at the park across from Grandma and Grandpa Bartlett’s when we would all get together I can see it like it was yesterday. He and my Aunt Carla were my favorites of all. I loved hearing him call me . He always called me Sissie. I remember we were having breakfast one morning and he said we were having goats milk. I was maybe 6 at the time. I was determined I wasn’t drinking goats milk YUK!!! We sat down to breakfast Aunt Carla poured milk in the glasses and it was so cold and yummy. I never gave it another thought. After breakfast was over Uncle Vondell asked me if my milk was good . Yes Sir I said it was. Then he proceeded to tell me it was goats milk. I don’t think I could say Yuk enough and he just laughed and laughed. My Aunt Carla just smiled and said “ Oh Vondell! I will forever miss you until we meet again. I love you Uncle Vondell. There will never be anyone that can compare to you..
My uncle vondell was the best person you could ever want to know .he treated me like one of his own kids if I ever needed advice I could call him and after talking to him things would work its self out some how he always knew iam going to mis him iam sure I will see him again someday soon. Uncle vondell you will always in my heart and thoughts…