VALLEY FALLS- James Dean Stevens, 53, of Valley Falls, KS, passed away Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at his home with family by his side. James fought a courageous life-long battle (beginning as an infant) with kidney failure. He was born January 4, 1968 in Lawrence, KS, the son of Earl Dean and Mary Frances (Zeller) Stevens.

James graduated from Valley Falls High School in 1986. He attended NEK Technical College in Beloit, KS, studying Diesel Mechanic. He changed his career to LPN, graduating from Kaw Valley Technical College in 1991.

He was a member of Valley Falls United Methodist Church.

James worked for 13 years at VA Eastern Kansas Healthcare System as an LPN in the PTSD Department. He also worked with his dad, Earl, on the family farm.

He married Mindy Lynn Maddox on June 5, 1993 in Topeka, KS; they celebrated over 27 years of marriage.

Survivors include his wife, Mindy; parents, Earl and Mary Stevens of Valley Falls, KS; 3 children, Joshua Dean Stevens (Courtney), Morgan Lynn Stevens and Jared Fisher Stevens (Lacey) all of Valley Falls, KS; 3 grandchildren, Mackenzie Lynn, Shea Andrew, Gabriel James and "one on the way";  sister, Susan Correll (Bill) of Valley Falls, KS; 2 nieces, Chelsey Davies (Stephen) of Mayetta, KS and Brooklyn Correll of Valley Falls, KS and nephew, Jacob Correll (Sam) of Denison, KS.

Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 24, 2021 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Valley Falls. Burial will follow at South Cedar Cemetery (South of Denison). Family will greet friends from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the James Stevens Memorial Fund to be designated at a later date c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 6, Valley Falls, KS 66088.