Miles Gordon Stevens III

Miles Gordon Stevens III entered eternal rest on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28, 2024, at the age of 75. Born in New Orleans on August 8, 1949, Gordon attended St. Rita Elementary and went on to become a proud Raider at Archbishop Rummel High School. He graduated from Loyola University in 1971 with a degree in Business Administration and also served in the U.S. Naval Air Reserves.

Gordon dedicated his professional career to the New Orleans Steamboat Company and Gray Line Tours. A diligent and natural leader, he rose from the company’s Controller to General Manager and eventually President and CEO in 1995. In 1990, he became a founder and part-owner of Cafe Beignet Restaurants and Ted’s Frostop.

Raised on the banks of the Mississippi River, Gordon shared fond memories with his five siblings, cousins, and lifelong friends in Harahan. A Huckleberry Finn in his own right, his mischievous and adventurous spirit would follow him through life, much to his wife, Ann’s, worry at times. When his father unexpectedly passed at the age of 10 years old, Gordon found his fortitude in God, family, and friends, values that would define and sustain his life.

The quintessential New Orleanian, he was a titan in the tourism industry. A life defining moment came in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Despite post-Katrina naysayers, Gordon never gave up. Through his tenacious spirit, and his relentless optimism and determination, Gordon led his steamboat family in a rebuilding effort like no other. A collegiate flambeaux carrier, Hermes Krewe member, and Saints season ticket holder, Gordon was a true gentleman ambassador for the very best of New Orleans.

A devoted Catholic son, brother, husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and very dear friend, Gordon’s greatest accomplishments were made evident in his relationships. Innumerable years of selfless volunteering and dedication to his faith culminated in his recognition in 2018 as the Saint Pope John Paul II Award recipient from the Catholic Community Foundation of New Orleans. Gordon was a faithful servant of God who was a vigilant Eucharistic adorer every Sunday morning at St. Catherine of Siena Parish. He generously gave from the depths of his heart to organizations that valued and promoted his beloved Catholic faith. Known to his 15 grandchildren as Pops, he was a memory maker, joke teller, jovial prankster, gentle comforter, intentional and delighted gift-giver, and endeared mentor. He was always whistling a merry tune, encouraging his family to have high hopes no matter what obstacle was ahead, ready for a game of chess or a fishing trip, loved planning family vacations, and treasured spending time at the beach. Dancing, teasing, giving “horsey rides” and having tea parties were just a few things that brought out his biggest smiles. He believed the meaning of life was to cherish his wife, Ann, fiercely love his children and grandchildren, and to know, love, and serve God. His constant advice was to live so that we may all get to Heaven. His words and deeds leave a principled legacy of trust and surrender to the divine will of God in all things.

After a long, heroic battle with cancer, he never once asked, “Why me?”, but instead heard his Savior’s invitation to “Take up your cross, Gordon, and follow me.” The family wishes to praise and thank the many doctors, PA’s, nurses, and aides who lovingly cared for Gordon, especially Drs. Laura Brinz, Eric Ehrensing, Daniel Jacobs, William Wierda, and more recently Drs. Jonathan Hand, Abigail Cocco, Carter Davis, and Clark Alsfeld.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Miles Gordon Stevens Jr. and Rosemary Schott Stevens, his beloved uncle, Reverend Paul W. Schott, S.J., son-in-law, Harry Hardin, and business partner and dear friend, William “Bill” Dow. He is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Ann Stevens, daughters Emily Hardin, Amanda Friedlander (Ryan), Caroline Bacon (Michael), Melanie Hoeman (Brent), Mary Catherine Luxhoj (Carl), Eugenie Stevens, and son Miles Gordon Stevens IV (Alyssa), his grandchildren Seamus, Kiernan, and Maura Hardin, Laura Zentner, Finn and Joseph Friedlander, Colin, Anna, and Vivian Bacon, Jude, Rory, Sam, and Charlie Hoeman, Luke Luxhoj, and Piper Stevens; his siblings Genie Lasoski (Jack), Paul Stevens (Joyce), Marylyn Dietz (Larry), Bob Stevens (Kathy), Rosie Witcher (Chip), and a host of nieces and nephews, some of whom were beloved godchildren.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass, held at St. Catherine of Siena Church,105 Bonnabel Blvd., Metairie, LA 70005, on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 1:00pm with eulogies to begin at 12:45pm. Visitation will be held at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124 on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 from 4pm-7pm with a 6:30pm Rosary. Additional visitation will be at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries from 10:30am-12pm on Thursday, December 5, 2024, prior to Mass. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, Masses offered for Gordon are preferred or you may make a contribution to the “Our City, Our Cathedral Campaign” benefitting St. Louis Cathedral, Women’s New Life Clinic, or Notre Dame Seminary.