Stevens boarded the USS Ranger in 1957 shortly after the ship was commissioned and before it sailed for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. 

Over the years, his of memories being on board what was once the most splendid, powerful ship in the world stayed with him. “You don’t ever forget a ship like that. You become part of the ship,” Stevens said. He was aboard the Ranger about nine months, cranking up planes and moving them around for the pilots, before plans were announced to set sail for a nine-month cruise around Cape Horn to San Diego, Calif. But, despite the thrill of being on a ship as large as three football fields, his heart was being pulled in another direction. He had met a beautiful young lady named Nancy, and he feared that if he left on the cruise, she would be gone when he returned.

“I had been dating a woman and my father didn’t approve. He wanted me to meet the daughter of a man who worked for him, so he slipped her name and address in my sea bag,” Stevens said.

He wrote to the address stowed away in his sea bag, and she wrote back. Soon the two were inseparable.

Stevens requested and received permission for shore duty so he could be with Nancy, although only a few were allowed off the ship, he said.

Jim and Nancy Stevens married 44 years ago. Stevens completed his four-year term of duty with his new wife at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Md., where their first son, Jim Jr., was born. Another son, Robert, was born later.

“I’ve often regretted that I didn’t stay in the Navy longer,” Stevens said. “Next to my wife, that was probably one of the greatest experiences of my life.”

“I wanted him to re-enlist, desperately,” Nancy Stevens said. Navy families formed close relationships, which she said lasts forever.

When the movie Apollo 13 was filmed, Jim Stevens recalled the astronaut portrayed by actor Tom Hanks as the man who had deeply influenced his life - his division officer, Lt. James Lovell, whom Stevens served with at Patuxent River Naval Air Station.

Stevens regretfully admits it took too many years to fully
appreciate his experiences aboard this magnificent ship and the 
positive effects they would have in his years to follow.
She was the Top Gun of the U.S. Navy in her time and for 36 years was manned by some of the finest of officers and enlisted men of the United States Navy.

To CV/A-61 and all who proudly served aboard her......THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES.

The USS Ranger CV/A-61 Reunion Association is an organization
with membership eligibility open to all officers and enlisted personal who have ever served aboard the USS Ranger no matter how short or long the tour of duty.

Stevens strongly urges the thousands of past crew members to join the association.  If you know someone, a husband, dad, uncle etc. tell them to check out the many benefits of membership.  You can contact George Meoli -gmeoli@erols.com 
Also, inquire into the USS Ranger Museum Foundation (A foundation to save the USS Ranger).  

Take it from Stevens, it's the Patriotic thing to do. You will be proud you did.....So Front And Center, Step Out And Step Up!

Jim passed away October 2, 2004.  One of Jim's last wishes 
was fulfilled when he got to visit the "Ranger" at Bremerton.  

That meant so very much to him.

He was a great man of great Character and Honor. Our
loss is great, he was our anchor always.
Nancy Stevens and Bob (son)