Obituary of Kerry Stevenson

August 13, 1958 - Vancouver, British Columbia

May 29, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we inform you of the passing of the most amazing person who binds our family and community together. This past Wednesday, May 29, Kerry Arthur Stevenson was ecstatic to be participating in the Canadian National Soaring Championship with his new performance glider. In what appears to be a mechanical failure, Kerry lost his life. The devastating news has sent a shockwave of emotion and sorrow though our incredibly generous and caring friends and family. There was no one as charismatic, dedicated, and abundantly loving as Kerry. The void of him in our lives can only be partially filled by the love he shared that resonates in all of us.

Kerry was born in Vancouver on August 13th, 1958. In his younger life, he found a passion in Air Cadets, which turned into serving in the Canadian Air Force which stationed him in Portage La Prairie, where he met his loving wife, Lynne. They were married in 1983 and decided to permanently set roots in Calgary where they had three wonderful sons, Chad, Robbie, and David.

Kerry decided to pursue his soaring career. He joined the Cu-Nim gliding club where he made countless deep friendships with his fellow pilots there. He spent his summers flying out of Black Diamond and further south out of Cowley. It was one of his biggest passions in this life and he eventually started instructing students so he could share his love of being up in the clouds with countless other people. If you had the profound chance to fly with him you know exactly what it was like to be above it all in a plane with no engine, only the sound of rushing air gliding across the canopy and Kerry's calm voice telling you exactly what to do to keep the plane in the sky. He did this for countless years and later served as president of the gliding club.

Kerry also had multiple other hobbies. He played hockey as a young kid and went on to be an integral and irreplaceable part of the Springbank Flyers and the Airdrie Old Buckers. He loved hockey, whether it was watching the NHL, dominating hockey drafts, chatting about any stat, playing shinny or on his teams, and coaching all three of his sons in hockey. His character is exemplified by the respect that every one of his players had for him, and how they still call him Coach Kerry.

He also enjoyed fishing, recently sparked a passion for pickleball, and loved to golf and put together his own golf tournament every year called the Stu-Ker Classic, hosted by him and his very dear friend Stuart Larson.

Kerry was an amazing real estate agent because he cared about each and every person and family, he worked with in making sure he listened and that they had found their perfect home. Kerry would be holding his head high with all of the praise that other agents and clients have sent over the years. He was fortunate to have his sons Robbie, and Chad to join the team as well.

If there was one thing beyond all his hobbies and work that Kerry loved more, it was his family. His Parents Bob, Jean and Elsie. His brother Ronn, countless nephews and nieces, amazing wife Lynne, his three sons Chad, Robbie, and David. He was declared “Funpa.” By his grandkids Juliette, Benjamin, Theodore, and Lucas, and a long list of dogs he would happily walk at all times of the day or night.

He worked tirelessly to make sure that each member of the family had everything they needed in order to make it through this life, and always tried to enhance every little thing to bring more memories and happiness. It is hard to imagine what life will be like without the constant positive energy that Kerry always approached his friends, family and clients with. Kerry always had a strong Christian faith and was so blessed in this life and it gives us comfort to know he went straight into the arms of our Lord and Savior when he passed.

Kerry's family will be hosting a small funeral service on Thursday, June 6, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. at Mountain View Lutheran Church (244191 Range Road 31) Please note that this is Kerry's home church, it holds room for 120 of Kerry's family and closest friends that would like to attend. This will be followed by a short burial service at Eden Brook Funeral Home and Cemetery (24223 Township Rd 242), and at 4:00 p.m. everyone is welcome to join us at the Celebration of Life at one of his happiest places, the Cu-nim Gliding Field, (354152 128 St W Foothills AB), between Okotoks and Diamond Valley, with signage on the road)  The field has room for everyone who had the joy of knowing Kerry in their lives, and would like to share their stories of love and laughter that they have of Kerry over some refreshments.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Kerry’s family here.

In living memory of Kerry Stevenson, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.