Major (Retired) James Douglas Stephens, 53 of Nevada, died peacefully with his wife and sister on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames.

James was born October 31, 1968, in Ames, Iowa the son of Roger Dean and DeAnn Kay (Swenson) Stephens. He graduated from Nevada High School in 1987. While in high school, he excelled at Track and Football, earning six varsity letters. Following several years of adventures in Oregon, James enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1993. In 2001, James was preparing to leave the Air Force when the tragedy of September 11th happened. He ended up re-enlisting and applying to Officer Training School. In 2003, he commissioned as an officer in the Air Force. He served as a Communications Officer until 2015 obtaining the rank of Major. While in the military, he earned his bachelor's degree from Park University and his master's degree from Webster University in 2009. After his retirement from the military, he became a professor of Information Technology at DMACC.

On April 17, 2004, he was united in marriage to Kimberly Ann Feikens in Fort Walton Beach, FL, having met while doing training in Biloxi, MS. All three of their boys were born while James was in the military but only their oldest, Paul, remembers when their dad deployed to Iraq in 2010. It was on this deployment that James was exposed to the burn pits that caused his cancer. James was a wonderful husband and father, but he was also an American hero, giving his life for his country.

James was a devoted member of the First United Methodist Church in Nevada, the William F. Ball Legion Post #48 in Nevada, and the Nevada Masonic Lodge #99. James served on several committees and helped teach Sunday School at the Methodist church. He also served as the Masons' treasurer until his diagnosis in 2021. He cared deeply about the Nevada Community and dedicated his time to supporting many of the local activities as a volunteer through these organizations.

James loved good food, a dark beer, a rich red wine, and strong coffee. He enjoyed geology and will be remembered for his love of the outdoors. The final family vacation was out West through Wyoming, where he got to put his love for the

outdoors and geology to work. He shared this love with his family in an epic vacation that will be remembered forever.

Whenever you pass a prairie, think of James, he helped create the prairie on the family farm that welcomes pheasants, deer, monarch butterflies, and honeybees. When you see the wind blowing through the tall grasses, imagine him walking there. When the sun is setting and giving the prairie that warm golden glow, know that his spirit is close.

James is survived by his wife, Kim of Nevada; his children, Paul Robert, Jesse Roger, and Allen James all at home; his brother, John (Julia) Stephens of State Center; his sisters, Joan Reeves of Sheridan, WY and Julie (Mike) Stephens-Watson of Omaha, NE. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother-in-law, Steven Reeves.

A visitation will be 10 a.m. until noon on Friday, September 30, 2022, at the Nevada First United Methodist Church (1036 7th Street). A lunch will be served beginning at 11:30 a.m. with a memorial service to follow at 1:30 p.m. The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed on the Nevada First United Methodist Church Facebook page. Private family burial will be at Pleasant Run Cemetery outside Nevada.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family to establish a college fund for Paul, Jesse and Allen.

Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.rasmussonfh.com