Lawton Terry Stevens Jr.

Captain Lawton Terry ("Steve") ("Locust") Stevens, Jr., passed away unexpectedly on November 21, 2023, at his home in Coppell, Texas with his wife, Su, by his side. Steve and Su moved to Coppell in 1977 and have remained residents since. Captain Stevens was born on November 22, 1943, in New Orleans, LA to Lawton Terry Stevens, Sr. and Sue Bullock Stevens. After graduating from The University of Mississippi in 1966, Steve entered the Navy under the Aviation Officer Candidate program. Locust was a decorated Veteran who served in the Vietnam War and spent another 13 years in the Naval Reserves after active duty. He was commissioned an Ensign and completed flight training in 1968. He was assigned to Fighter Squadron 191 at Miramar Naval Air Station in San Diego, CA. He flew the F-8 Crusader on two combat cruises to Vietnam on board the USS Oriskany CVA34 in 1969 and 1970. He was awarded numerous combat decorations including multiple Air Medals. After returning from his second cruise, Locust was assigned as a flight instructor in the advanced training command at NAS Kingsville, TX, then was assigned to start up the initial TA-4J Advanced Training at the NAS Meridian, MS. It was there that he met the love of his life, Su Cuccio, and were married there in 1974. After leaving active duty in 1974 Steve joined the Navy Reserve at NAS Dallas, TX transferring to the Navy Reserve Fighter Squadron VF-202 flying the F-8 Crusader and the F-4 Phantom and eventually became the Commanding Officer. During that time, Locust led the squadron on deployments to Key West, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Europe. Steve was one of the first and most highly decorated pilots employed by Southwest Airlines, rapidly advancing to Captain from 1974 until he retired in 2003. Locust was highly respected as a Navy Fighter pilot and Southwest Airlines Captain safely flying thousands of passengers for over 29 years. Steve was a loving husband and father, a loyal and generous friend and a brave and honorable sailor and officer. Locust was responsible for getting many Southwest pilots their jobs and mentoring their careers. He is survived by his wife Su Stevens of Coppell, TX, daughter Susan Stevens Quaedvlieg of Nashville, TN, son Philip Stevens of Dallas, TX, sister Nora (Chester) Harvey of Ocean Spring, MS, grandson Sjef and granddaughter Ella Quaedvlieg, sister-in-law Debee Foster, niece Heather (Tracy Wilkinson) Dingfield and grandnephews Sydney and Sebastian. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawton Terry and Sue Bullock Stevens and son Patrick Stevens. There will be a private service for the family followed by a Celebration of Life Reception early in the new year at a date to be announced. The Stevens family welcomes any stories, photos, and memories that Steve's friends and colleagues would like to offer. Please forward to retired Capt. Chuck Scott SWA, [email protected], 281-797-1261.