He moved with his family to Meeker, Colo., when he was 1 year old and was soon joined by: a sister, Erin Leane; a brother, David Andrew; and another sister, Lindsey Renae, to become one of the five blonde Stevens children playing in Garfield Street.
Eric’s education began early, and at age 3 he traveled to Craig and Steamboat Springs three times a week to attend preschool. At age 4, Horizons for the Handicapped established a preschool in the basement of the Episcopal Church and, in the years that followed, many more Meeker children received the benefits of early childhood education because of Eric.
His education continued in the classrooms of Meeker School District, where he experienced the BOCES programs and the excellent Meeker teachers. After graduating from Meeker High School in 1993, Eric moved to Denver and began work at Belcaro Animal Hospital, where he worked for more than 20 years. Eric had found a second loving family at Belcaro.
Eric lived as a lover of modern culture, from exploring the world of video games alone to the thrill of riding rollercoasters with friends. Music was an integral part of Eric’s life, and friends and family have been lucky to have been recommended his favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy books, television shows and movies. Eric was also a connoisseur of junk food cuisine, and his siblings often depended on his expertise at family gatherings. Eric will surely be remembered for sharing the things he loved most with the people who loved him.
Eric completed his journey on this earth in the arms of his family on June 15, 2015.
He leaves behind a huge extended family including six aunts, seven uncles and 19 cousins as well as past and present members of the Belcaro staff. He will be greatly missed by two nieces, Madison and Malin, and two nephews, Dylan and Jack, who loved him dearly. Eric was happy and productive in his life and his message to the world would be, “May the force be with you.”
The family is requesting in lieu of flowers that donations be made to Max Fund (Max Fund 720 W. 10th Ave., Denver, Colo. 80204, or donations can be made online). A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. at Highland Cemetery in Meeker, Colo., on Friday, July 24, 2015, followed by a barbecue lunch at Circle Park.
