Velton (Steve) Stevens

MG Velton R Stevens (NM ARNG RET) went to be with the Lord on December 12, 2023, at the age of 89. Velton was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Glendora, his siblings Charles,

Leroy, Martha, Clara, Robert, Minnie, and Jessie and son-in-law Paul Hockett.

MG Stevens was born on August 11,1934 in Colorado City, Texas to Thomas A. Stevens and Glendora Groh Stevens and was the seventh of eight siblings. He graduated from Artesia High School in Artesia, NM in 1952 and married the love of his life, Ramona Carol Stevens. He is survived by his wife, Carol and their 3 children: Linda Hockett, Tommy (Jackie) Stevens and Jimmy Stevens (Valerie). 8 Grandchildren: Sarah, Steven, Stephanie, Ryan, Lilli, Daniel, Brandon, and Tyler and by 15 Great­ Grandchildren.

Velton was known by friends and family as "Steve" and his nieces and nephews as "Uncle Bubba". He was a loving husband, father, uncle and loved by all his grandchildren who knew him as Papa. He loved dancing with his wife Carol; hunting and fishing with family members; camping, travel, and serving veterans and the ESGR.

MG Stevens began his military service by enlisting in the New Mexico Army National Guard on 5 August 1952 in Carlsbad, NM. From 1952-1959, he held several enlisted positions in Battery B, 697^th Anti-Aircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion serving as a mechanic, motor sergeant, machine gun section chief, supply sergeant, and first sergeant. He is one of few officers, who have gone through all enlisted ranks before becoming an officer.

After completing OCS in 1959, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, Artillery, on 14 June 1960 and was assigned to Battery B, 697^th AAA (AW) Battalion in Carlsbad as an Assistant Platoon Leader, Platoon Leader, and later as Executive Officer in the same Unit. He was promoted to First Lieutenant on 13 June 1963.

On 1 June 1964, he was reassigned to Headquarters 1^st AW Battalion 200^th Artillery in Artesia, NM as the Battalion Adjutant. He was promoted to Captain on 5 June 1965. On 15 December 1967, the Headquarters was relocated to Roswell, NM and he was reassigned as the Assistant S3. On 19 January 1973, he was reassigned as S3 of the battalion and was promoted to Major on 24 January 1973. On 1 September 1975, he was assigned as the Operations Officer (Airspace Management Element) until 1 November 1976 when he was reassigned as S3 in the same Unit. He attended Pikes Peak Community College, Eastern New Mexico University, and the College of Santa Fe.

On 22 October 1978, he was reassigned to the Headquarters 111^th Air Defense Artillery Brigade in Albuquerque, NM as the Assistant S3, later serving as the S3 and Chief of Staff in the same unit. He was promoted to Lt. Colonel on 8 May 1981.

On 23 January 1984, he was reassigned to Headquarters State Area Command in Santa Fe, NM as the Military Support Officer and on 7 May 1984, was reassigned as the Intelligence and Security Officer in the same Unit. He was promoted to Colonel on 18 October 1984. On 31 July 1985, he was assigned as the Assistant Chief of Staff, Plans, Operations, and Training. On 1 October 1986, he was reassigned as Director of Plans and Training in Santa Fe.