Shayne Stevens

Shayne Richard Stevens, 38, passed away Friday, March 19^th after a bloody battle with a hibernating grizzly bear. Ok, not really, but Shayne always wanted to get your attention. 

Shayne is survived by the love of his life and best friend, Vaneesha Bouaroy Stevens; his pride and joys, Gage and Braydon, supportive devoted parents Marsha Bendle and Rick Stevens of Thornville; loving siblings, Coury Stevens (Misty Kidd) of Frazeysburg and Tijana Stevens (Chris Norton) of Charlotte;  grandparents Ronald and Linda Stevens of Colliers WV, and the best niece ever Skylar Stevens along with many many aunts, uncles, and cousins, and fur babies Bandit and Roxy .  He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents John and Donna Bendle of Amsterdam.

Shayne grew up in Hilliard, Ohio where he graduated from Hilliard Davidson High School.  He then became a Buckeye studying criminology at The Ohio State University.  From there he attended Hawaii Pacific University where he spent a little time studying and a lot of time bikini watching. He then completed the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy and committed his professional life to protecting and serving on the Newark Police Department where he was part of the Special Operations Group (S.O.G). He took pride in following the footsteps of his father, Rick Stevens, as a decorated Columbus Police Officer of 28 years.

Some will say Shayne is in a better place while others believe he is cruising the cosmos on his beloved Harley. It is agreed by all that wherever his new adventure has taken him, there is partying.

Anyone who called Hilliard home might find him sitting on a bar stool at his favorite watering hole, Nike Bar. There he performed his karaoke rendition of Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror and was known to execute flawless choreography of the Thriller music video.  Shayne was known for his quick wit and incredible sense of humor. He was always the smartest person in the room. He is certainly Alex Trebek’s number one heavenly contestant as he was our living room champion daily on Jeopardy. He went to Burbank so he could “come on down” on the Price is Right.  A gambling man, he loved to try his luck at the local casino bellied up to the craps table. Shayne was a master of impersonation and won multiple costume contests, one of which was first place as a Napoleon Dynamite look-alike. Really. Whether it was being body surfed to the uprights of Ohio Stadium after a Michigan win or wrestling sharks in waist deep water on vacation with his family, he was always down for fun and adventure. He also may or may not have been recorded by the local news yelling, “I LOVE YOU MOM!” while floating down flooded High Street in sewage on an air mattress. He marched to the beat of his own drum. Wherever he went, there was laughter.

Shayne’s greatest source of pride was being Gage and Braydon’s dad. From building entire computers with his son Gage to performing kitchen burning science experiments with Braydon, he loved educating and spending time with his boys. He often could be heard boasting about how proud he was of them and what great men they were becoming.

Shayne was grateful to all his healthcare providers at The James during his battle against Sarcoma. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The James Cancer Hospital.

The family invites you to join them for calling hours on Friday, March 26 from 4-7pm at Tidd Funeral Home in Hilliard.  The funeral service will take place on Saturday, March 27 at Tidd Funeral Home at noon with graveside service immediately following at Sunset Cemetery. Party, laughter and booze will follow at Nike Bar.  

#Cancer sucks. Vaneesha, love you babes.  I’ll be waiting for you.  Take your time.