Dr. Thomas James Stevens, of Jacksonville, IL, died July 6, 2021. Dr. Tom was born the son of Alfred and Calla Williams Stevens on September 27, 1935, in Wheeler, WI. He married Eleanor C. Eighmy on September 1, 1956, in Menomonie, WI. Thomas is survived by his wife, Eleanor; four children, daughter, Dr. Shelly Stevens (Dr. Robert Groesch) of Decatur, son, Anthony Stevens (Leisa) of Kansas City, MO, daughter, Amy Stevens-Kaufmann (Thomas) of Jacksonville, and son, Tom E. Stevens (Megan) of OFallon, MO. He is also survived by eight grandchildren; and three sisters, Eloise Knutson (deceased husband Bill) of Boyceville, WI, Nancy Smith (deceased husband Tom) of Eau Claire, WI, and Jeanne Fox (David) of Hackensack, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Diane Storlie (surviving husband Lee of Ames, IA). Dr. Tom graduated from Colfax High School in 1953. He received his BS degree in 1958 from Wisconsin State University, where he played baseball. After graduating from Wisconsin State, Tom taught high school in Chetek, WI for six years. Dr. Tom earned his Master's Degree at Ohio State University and his Doctor of Philosophy from Northwestern University. He taught at Mundelein High School in the Chicago suburbs. He was named "Outstanding Young Educator," by the Illinois Jaycees while teaching in Mundelein. Dr. Stevens moved to Jacksonville in 1969. He was professor and chairman of the Department of Education at MacMurray College for thirty-two years. He was a sharp dressed professor that was loved by his college students. Dr. Stevens was active in many professional and community activities. He served as an officer in the Illinois Association of Colleges and Universities in teacher education. Tom was chairman of the Illini Administrators Institute. He served as a consultant to several school districts. Tom was a 20-year member and past president of Rotary. He served as president of The Sherwood Eddy YMCA, was a member of the Passavant Hospital Board, the Art Association Board and served on the Illinois United Way Board. Tom and Eleanor are members of Faith Lutheran Church. Tom was an active sportsman. He officiated high school and college sports for 30 years. He enjoyed tennis, golf, cycling, ski jumping, skating, swimming and fishing. He completed several marathons including the Boston Marathon. He enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinals and Green Bay Packers. Dr. Tom enjoyed coaching and working with young athletes. Tom coached gymnastics at Stevens School of Dance and Gymnastics with his wife Eleanor and family. Eleanor and Tom were named state and national coaches of the year in 2014 for the United States Tumbling and Trampoline Association. He will be sorely missed by hundreds of current and former Stevens Dance and Gymnastics students and alumni. Tom and Eleanor's was a love story for the ages. From high school sweethearts through sixty- five years of marriage, they were inseparable. Dr. Tom was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. His intellect and sharp wit were his calling cards. He was a loyal and true friend to many. Above all, Dr. Tom leaves an unfillable void in the lives of his family. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial gifts in Dr. Tom Stevens name to the following: Art Association of Jacksonville Building Fund The David Strawn Art Gallery 331 West College Jacksonville, IL 62650 Or Dr. Tom Stevens Trampoline & Tumbling Scholarship C/O Legacy Dance and Tumbling Complex 14 Aaron Drive Jacksonville, IL 62650 A memorial scholarship has been created in honor of Dr. Tom's 50 plus years of developing gymnasts at Stevens School of Dance and Gymnastics. Each year a scholarship will be awarded to a student in need who shows dedication and passion for trampoline and tumbling. A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 9, 2021, at Faith Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, with burial at Diamond Grove Cemetery. The family will meet friends 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville. Condolences may be left online at buchanancody.com. . Visitation Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home, Jacksonville Chapel Thursday, July 08, 2021 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM 1100 Lincoln Ave. Jacksonville, Illinois 62650 Funeral Service Faith Lutheran Church Friday, July 09, 2021 10:30 AM 1385 West Walnut Jacksonville, Illinois