John H. Stevens

JOHN H. STEVENS Martinsville-John H. Stevens passed away August 2, 2021, after a tough six year battle with cancer. A Celebration of Life Memorial of John’s life will be held on August 21 at 2:00pm at the Monrovia United Methodist Church, Church Street, Monrovia. John was born to Herbert and Kathleen (Mills) Stevens in Guildford, Surry Co., England in 1940. A German Nazi bomb that hit one end of the hospital hastened John’s birth and may have contributed to his active life. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, an adopted war orphan, Richard A. Stevens. John is survived by his wife Kathleen (Gould) Stevens and son Pieterjon Hoffmann, daughter Anna Ward (Brad), and grandsons Jackson Ward, Carter Ward, Alexander Ward, and twins Zachery and Mason Ward. John loved, and was very much loved, by his family. He leaves close cousins living in Cornwall, England. John was a world traveler having been around the world at least four times. He graduated from University of London and BBC (British Broadcasting Corp.) College. He recorded a small, popular group from Liverpool before their first trip to the U.S. on the Ed Sullivan Show. They were the Beatles and they got along very well. John moved up to RCA Limited as a manager and was asked to come to RCA Broadcasting in Camden, NJ to teach the electronics engineers how to develop color TV in this country. He was awarded seven patents for RCA and traveled to China, Africa, and other countries with a small group of engineers to install TV stations. He was asked by World Book Encyclopedia to write the chapter on electronic engineering which he did in simplistic wording. John enjoyed sailing, Rally Racing (when younger), mountain climbing, and many other activities, but most important to him was having fun with his family. John and Kathleen took their children mountain climbing in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. He never bragged about his many accomplishments; never had a harsh word about anyone (a very rare thing). He was a true gentleman. Arrangements have been entrusted to Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel in Monrovia. To share a favorite story, send an online condolence to the family, or light a candle in John’s memory, please search Facebook for Light Memorial & Funeral Chapel or visit his tribute page at www.lightmemorial.com

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John H. Stevens

July 18, 1940 - August 2, 2021