Obituaries

James Ross Stephens, 82 of Alcoa, went to be with Jesus August 4, 2020 at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. He was a member, trustee, and maintenance man of First Apostolic Church of Maryville since 1984. James was born March 5, 1938 in Morristown, TN of James Fuller Stephens and Maude Bertha Wells Stephens. He graduated from College Park High School, College Park GA in 1956 and served four years in the US Airforce (1956 – 1960) as an Airborne Radar Repairman. While in the Airforce he took flying lessons and soloed in 1956. James then spent eight years with the Federal Aviation Agency, installing radio, radar, and communications equipment in all traffic control towers and centers. In 1968 he became a patrolman with the Atlanta Police department. He helped form Atlanta’s first SWAT team. James was a SWAT sergeant, and sniper, trained at Redstone Arsenal and the Army Ranger Sniper School. He moved to Alcoa, TN in 1977 and was a security police sergeant at McGee-Tyson Airbase for five years. He became an air traffic control assistant at McGee-Tyson air traffic control tower and retired with 26 years of government service. James was preceded in death by his father: James F. Stephens (91), mother: Maude B. Wells Stephens (86). He is survived by his wife: Jimmie Lynn M. Stephens, brother: Curtis T. Stephens of Cordova, TN Dana Kent Stephens and Sandra of Darien, GA, daughters: Jackie Bradley, Heather Fraze, sons: Todd Marsh, Richard Marsh, Steve Marsh, grandchildren: Evie, Jacob and Parker Condry, Danyelle Casteel, Taylor Key, Tanner Bradley, Hunter Bradley, Talyn and Tinsley Marsh, Cody, Justin, and Ava Marsh, Stevie, Nate and Audrey Marsh, 15 great grandchildren.