A beloved Texoma artist, responsible for some iconic artwork in the area, is gone. Jack Stevens died Friday at the age of 84. He’s being remembered for not only being an outstanding artist but also for something more significant: being a family man.

Though it may have not been his first career choice, Jack Stevens’ son Jim said his father discovered his artistic talent at a young age.

“Back when he was a kid and lived on Holliday Creek, he’d get the mud off the bank and make little sculptures out of it,” Jim Stevens said. “And then, he got into farming and ranching and stuff and then had one, two bad years in the cattle business. The cattle market failed and he got out of that and started doing his artwork,” Stevens said.

Stevens opened his studio in 1970 and from there got to work on creating many recognizable sculptures throughout Texoma. Some of those works include the Wee Chi Ta statue, a sunwatcher and bicyclist, as well as the mustangs prominently adorning the campus of Midwestern State University.

“It’s amazing to see him put the detail that he does in all his work. You can’t teach that. That’s a God-given talent.

Another passion Stevens had was riding horses, something which his granddaughter Kayla remembers well.

“One of my favorite memories that I have with him is he would pick us up from school in horse and buggy; and that was pretty cool,” Kayla Lalumia said.

And though Stevens will be remembered for his creations by many, his family said there are other things for which Jack Stevens ought to be remembered.

“His heart of gold. He loved everybody and everything around him,” Lalumia said.

“[He was the] best dad I ever had,” Jim Stevens said.

Stevens lost his battle to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease he’d been battling for the last five years.
Stevens also had special ties to KFDX, as he was named a Hometown Hero back in 2001. His son said funeral arrangements are pending.

If you wish to make a memorial contribution, those can be sent to Hospice of Wichita Falls.