Wayne Earl Stevenson

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of longtime Las Cruces resident, retired pilot, engineer, fly-in-breakfast pancake chef and proud Canadian Wayne Earl Stevenson. Wayne was born 24 April 1943, to Dorothy and Earl Stevenson in St. Thomas, Ontario. He attended The University of Waterloo attaining a degree in Psychology, Human Factors. Wayne wed Mary Jane Carpenter on August 20, 1966, and they had three daughters, Elizabeth, Jennifer, and Margaret. Wayne and Mary Jane moved to Las Cruces in 1996. Mary Jane died on May 15, 2006. Wayne was a pilot and flight instructor. He flew a everything from Piper Cubs to commercial transport aircraft. He was long a committed member of the local Chapter 555 of the Experimental Aircraft Association and was known for both his precision in pouring pancakes at the monthly fly-in breakfasts, as well as his explanation to his customers that the blueberries in the pancakes were frozen because that was how they grew them in Canada. Wayne also taught in the engineering department at New Mexico State University and had an interest in - and broad knowledge of - everything mechanical. Wayne found love again, marrying Julie Marineau on February 26, 2018. Wayne and Julie divided their time between Las Cruces and Sidney, British Columbia, where they enjoyed exploring the waterways around Vancouver Island in their 45-foot boat "Toucan". Wayne is preceded in death by his wife Mary Jane (Carpenter) Stevenson. He is survived by his wife Julie Marineau, and his three daughters Elizabeth (Patrick), Jennifer (Wally), and Margaret (Charlot) and 5 grandsons. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the Experimental Aircraft Association's Young Eagles Program.