Obituary of Ronald Gordon Q.C. STEVENS

September 17, 1949 – Empress, AB May 13, 2014 – Calgary, AB Ron Stevens, Justice of the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench, and former MLA for Calgary-Glenmore, passed away on May 13, 2014 at the age of 64. A proud Albertan his entire life, Ron was widely known and admired as a community builder and strong leader in the province, dedicating 12 years of service as an MLA, cabinet minister and Deputy Premier for the Government of Alberta, followed by his appointment to Court of Queen’s Bench in 2009. He is dearly missed by friends, colleagues and by his beloved family, including his wife Phyllis, daughter Kristen (David Powell), his son Grant (Eleanor Carlson), and granddaughters Ellen and Eden. Ron was predeceased by his parents Wilma and Les Stevens. Ron was born September 17, 1949 in Empress, Alberta and raised on a farm nearby. He graduated from the University of Calgary in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and from the University of Alberta in 1975 with a Bachelor of Laws. He articled and practiced at Code Hunter Wittman LLP as a civil litigation lawyer and mediator in Calgary until 1997. Ron was appointed Queen’s Council in 1996. He was first elected as MLA for Calgary-Glenmore in 1997, and went on to serve as Minister of Gaming and Justice Minister under Premier Ralph Klein. He was appointed Deputy Premier and International and Intergovernmental Relations Minister by Premier Ed Stelmach. His accomplishments in government include successful sponsorship of the Holocaust Memorial Day and Genocide Remembrance Act and the Irrigation Districts Act, along with the private member’s bill the Emblems of Alberta (Alberta Dress Tartan) Amendment Act, 2000. Always an active community member, Ron served as president of the Palliser Bayview Pumphill Community Association, director of the Community Mediation Calgary Society, director of the Federation of Calgary Communities and director and vice-chair of the Calgary Housing Authority. Known for his commanding presence, quick wit, wry sense of humour, and his insatiable curiosity, Ron was an invaluable advisor, a respected mentor, and a connoisseur of life that included his deep love of conversation, great food and drink, music, art and travel. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and son, and the regular family gatherings and holiday celebrations that he rarely missed will not be the same without him. Despite Ron’s busy and public life, his most cherished moments were spent with his family. In recent years, he especially enjoyed spending time with Phyllis at their place in Victoria, going for long walks and reading. A Memorial Service to Celebrate Ron’s Life will be held at Gasoline Alley – Heritage Park Historical Village (1900 Heritage Drive S.E., Calgary, AB) on Thursday, May 22, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, donations in Ron’s memory can be made to Pro Bono Law Alberta Society or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta. In living memory of Ron Stevens, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Calgary, AB, T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.