Anthony “Tony” Begg Stevens, age 65, passed away in his home unexpectedly in Apopka, Florida on November 30, 2023. Tony was born in Winter Park, FL on January 21, 1958 to Mary Gearing Stevens and Burr Edward Stevens II.
Tony spent his early years playing high school baseball at Trinity Preparatory School where he graduated in 1976. While he was there he earned ten varsity letters in five sports. During his senior year, he was the baseball team captain, MVP and inducted into the Trinity Prep hall of fame. From there, he continued with collegiate baseball for the University of Florida Gators where he set records for home runs and runs batted in that stood for many decades, with the help of his long-time friend and college teammate, Chuck Sandberg. Tony graduated from the University of Florida with a BA in History in 1982. Tony went on to play several years with the Boston Red Sox organization. He later received his masters degree in marketing and management in 1992.
Tony spent over 30 years working in the commercial insurance industry throughout Florida. After retiring in 2017, Tony found his true passion in life starting an educator role as a teacher of US History and later achieved his State of Florida Department of Education, Educator Certificate for grades 6-12, History and Marketing. He taught at Markham Woods Middle School (Lake Mary, FL) where he greatly impacted many lives of the students and faculty.
Tony enjoyed working out, playing golf, and deep sea fishing. He enjoyed traveling to historical sites, watching/attending professional and collegiate football, baseball, basketball and hockey games. Tony especially loved doing all of these activities with his son, Chase. They were each other’s hero.
Tony is survived by his only son, US Marine, Chase Stevens, formally of Jacksonville, Florida; currently of Maryland. Surviving Brothers, Michael Stevens (Lisbet); Bill Stevens (Mary); Burr Stevens (Mary Marwick); Matthew Stevens; and Sister, Peggy Stevens (Robert Rivers). He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews from the Orlando area.
Tony was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and many other loved ones. Tony will be greatly missed by his son, Chase, family, friends, students, and colleagues.
A memorial service will be held in his honor on Saturday, December 30, 2023 1:00pm at Loomis Funeral Home in Apopka, FL.
Memorial contributions in Tony’s honor may be made to the many students he loved at Markham Woods Middle School Food Pantry, Attention : Faith Lee, PTA.
Service
Gathering of friends
Loomis Funeral Home
420 West Main Street, Apopka, Florida 32712
December 30, 2023
1:00pm - 1:30pm
Memorial
Loomis Funeral Home
420 West Main Street, Apopka, Florida 32712
December 30, 20231:30pm - 2:30pm
This heritage started 67 years ago with Pastor Herbert F. Loomis, who founded the First Baptist Church of Daytona Beach, Florida, in 1934. In 1938 Francis E. Loomis, son of Pastor Herbert F. Loomis, received his license to practice Mortuary Science and in 1941 established Loomis Funeral Home of Winter Garden, FL. 
420 W Main St
Apopka, FL 32712-3452
Judy Schrey Walbert says
CHASE i am so sorry for your loss of your dad..my heart goes out to you and your family.take care ..prayers and hugs sent
Maria Stevens Wells says
Many people will miss Tony but none as much as you, Chase. We are very proud of you, Chase and your father was always the proudest; sharing your accomplishments with everyone. Tony was so happy these last four years, sharing his love of teaching with others, and was looking forward to coaching sports and teaching more children how to be successful in life and never give up on their dreams. He loved those children at Markham Woods Middle School but he loved you, Chase, the most of anything in this world. Tony started and ended every day with something wonderful to say about Chase. Rest in peace, rest easy Tony!
Anna Carlson says
My daughter just loved Mr Stevens. She was debated when she heard the news but will always have fond memories of him. We are so sorry for the family’s loss.
Anna says
Mr stevens was my favorite teacher at markham. Every single day he made the best jokes and was always such a good person to all the students. I met my best friend lacey from his class. I will never forget the wonderful memories made and how he brightened everyone’s day. May he rest in peace. He will always be remembered.
Pandora Owens says
I am so sorry for this loss. I lost my mom a few weeks ago, so I know this really hurts. Mr. Stevens was an amazing teacher, and I am so glad I got to work with him. He will be surly missed. I know your hearts are very heavy…Your family is in my prayers.
Bob Strauch says
Good by good friend! May God grant you peace and joy. See you on the other side.
Chase, I loved you father. I was blessed to have his friendship and company when he was in Jax. We loved raising you kids, grew our families together, shared meals, shared faith, and playing golf. Mostly of all, I enjoyed your dad’s company when we were together. He had an infectious smile and a great laugh. He was a gift in my life!
Theresa Jarvinen says
Chase all though I feel like I have know you most of your growing up working with your Mom at Moosehaven for all these years. I wanted to wish you sincere condolences. You have made your Dad very proud. As you have made your mom Maria. I hope you take time to keep up yourself. Your an amazing son and a great Marine. Thank you for your service young man.
TJ
Kimberly J Picard says
Mr. Tony Stevens… my sweet and funny friend. Many of you had the privilege of knowing Tony for decades. I only got a few years. Within those few years, we developed a tight professional and personal friendship.
I was Tony’s mentor at Markham Woods Middle School. Throughout my career, I have mentored many teachers and student teachers. I know natural talent when I see it. Tony was a natural. In “Teacher World” there are techniques that describe you as Developing… Effective… Highly Effective. Those are all evaluative terms to describe your ability to “teach” based upon the criteria of the day.
As a mentor, I can coach anyone “teaching techniques”. What I cannot coach/teach is a love and heart for students. Tony had that in spades! He loved his students, and they knew it. Building relationships with students was his strength.
He did this in many ways. He greeted every student at his door before every class offering “high fives”, “fist bumps”, hand sanitizers, and more. Some students complained about the scent of the hand sanitizer. So, he visited our dear friend, Deb Childers, at Bath and Body Works. He bought multiple scents. He often allowed students to choose the scents they wanted to share with their classmates. From time to time, I would have a student arrive late to my class. The excuse? “I had to get hand sanitizer from Mr. Stevens!”.
At the end of the school day, teachers “corral” students towards the bus and car lines. Mr. Stevens was always there to encourage students and ask about their interests. Many students looked forward to his “goodbyes” at the end of the day.
We ate lunch together every day in my classroom. Mostly it was just the two of us. I had an Intern this year, Carter, who ate with us most days. During those lunches, I learned so much about his family, friends, and those that he loved. We shared our daily stories with each other.
One of the most common themes was his son, Chase. I received daily updates. Tony was such a proud father! Chase was his hero. He was so proud of Chase… and his pups… and his girlfriend. Every lunch included pictures of what was going on in Chase’s life.
We talked about stories of our childhood, teenage years, young adult years. We had many parallels growing up.
One of the many things that I admired about Tony was his commitment to his son, and the mother of his son, and maintaining a positive relationship in the best interest of Chase. I never heard him say a negative word about Chase’s Mom. What a special gift to give to your child!
Tony had a natural ability to connect with people. He was always curious and asked many questions. He seemed to genuinely want to know more about the person who he was talking to. I am certain that was an attribute that made him successful in Insurance. It was absolutely an attribute that made him successful as a teacher.
Many students were blessed to have Mr. Stevens in their lives. I was blessed to have my friend, Tony, in my life. My heart aches that I don’t get to see him every day… or any day… anymore.
My sincerest condolences to all of those who loved him.
Most sincerely,
Kim Picard