John J. Stevens

John J. Stevens

March 14, 1936 – June 6, 2025

VISITATION: Monday, June 9, 2025, from 5pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel, followed by VIGIL SERVICE at 7pm.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Tuesday, June 10th at 11am at St. James Catholic Church, 4710 No. 90th St.

Interment: Calvary Cemetery at 1:30pm.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Macy’s Way, the Nebraska Humane Society, or St. Labre Indian School in Ashland, Montana.

To view live broadcasts of the Vigil Service and Mass, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.

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    John J. Stevens was born on his father’s birthday, March 14, 1936, in Columbus, Nebraska, to Dr. J.E. Stevens and Ellen Noonan Stevens. He was the third oldest among his siblings: Margaret, Kathryn, Thomas, Edward, and Patricia.

    John graduated from St. Bonaventure High School and, upon graduation, moved to Omaha to attend the University of Omaha, where he majored in real estate and psychology. John and his wife, Georgia, were married for 55 years. Together, they built a loving home and raised their adopted son, Scott.

    John began his career at Union Pacific Railroad as a secretary and rose through the ranks to become Director of Property Management. In that role, he oversaw activities involving the railroad’s former land yards in Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah — including securing right-of-way for spur tracks, implementing curve reductions, managing microwave sites, and acquiring land in North Platte for the Bailey Classification Facility and Union Pacific’s third main line.
John was also elected Vice President of Uinta Development Company, a cattle and mineral exploration subsidiary of Union Pacific.

    A licensed real estate appraiser and broker, John chose to take early retirement after 25 years with Union Pacific to work as an independent contractor and acquisition agent. He acquired oil and gas leases and right-of-way for the State of Nebraska, Douglas County, and the City of Omaha, as well as high-speed rail right-of-way in Grand Island for Burlington Northern.

     John also served for 10 years as Chief Coordinating Appraiser to the Douglas County Board of Equalization and for another 10 years on the Douglas County Condemnation Board.

    He loved traveling in Wyoming and named the Tetons near Jackson Hole as his favorite place. A longtime supporter of Husker football, John held season tickets for decades. He had a deep love for dogs, American & military history, and all things Irish. He and his wife, Georgia, enjoyed traveling throughout the United States to support their son Scott at Taekwondo tournaments.

     John was a beloved uncle and father figure to his large family of cousins, nieces, nephews, and their children, whom he treated as his own. His warmth, generosity, and steady presence anchored generations. His spirit of generosity and love for family will live on through the lives of all he touched.

    John’s departure on the anniversary of D-Day reminds us of his love and respect for military history, as he storms the gates of Heaven to be reunited with his heavenly family, whom he loved and missed every day.

HEAFEY-HOFFMANN-DWORAK-CUTLER, West Center Chapel, 7805 W. Center Rd., Omaha 68124, 402-391-3900, www.heafeyheafey.com.