Christian Owen Stevens

Christian Owen Stevens, of Canton, GA traded his parachute for angel wings on February 17, 2020. He was 49 years old. Christian roared into this world January 16, 1971 in Atlanta, GA to Charlie and Jeanne Stevens. He graduated from Shiloh High School in 1989 where he excelled at Cross Country and track, winning numerous State Championships. Upon graduation, he attended Georgia State University, where he was a cadet in ROTC and an enlisted soldier in the Army reserve. He graduated with a degree in Business Administration. After graduation, he received his Commission as an officer in the US Army as a Second Lieutenant. Christian served in the United States Army as an Infantry Officer, stationed with the prestigious 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC. During his time on active duty, Christian completed Airborne training at Fort Benning, GA where he earned the Parachutist Badge. He also attended Army Ranger school also at Fort Benning, earning the Ranger Tab. In 2001, Christian competed in the grueling Best Ranger competition finishing second out of 44 teams. During his service, Christian deployed with the 82nd to Kosovo where he was awarded the Kosovo Campaign Medal as well as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Medal. He also earned the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. After leaving the military, Christian joined his local Veterans of Foreign Wars post (General Raymond G. Davis Post VFW 12002) where he served loyally in many capacities including serving as the post's Commander. Christian also began a charity named Operation Santa through the VFW. This year will be the 14th year of the event. This charity buys Christmas gifts for the children of forward deployed, Georgia-based units during the Christmas season. To date, this charity, under Christian's leadership, has raised more than $300,000 and provided gifts to more than 5,000 children. His post military career saw him consistently surpassing quotas in dermatological pathology marketing and sales. Christian had a tremendously successful career in Medical sales (Anatomic Pathology Services). He began his career in 2001 as a Territory Manager with Ameripath, Inc. and quickly turned a poor producing territory into the leading territory. He continued his career in the same field with Dermpath Diagnostics. Most recently, Christian was Director, Sales and Marketing with SkinPath Solutions. He created a tremendous network of Physicians and staff throughout the country. Christian was an avid skydiver, with 20 years of experience and countless jumps. He reached his goal of becoming an instructor as well as a member of the professional skydiving team, Fastrax. Christian could often be found doing demo jumps into events, BASE jumping and tandem jumping so he could show new jumpers "why the birds sing." He was loving husband to Angel and a fantastic father to Riley Kay and Charlie Marie. He is also survived by his parents; brothers, Darin Stevens of Brookhaven, GA and Ian Stevens of Athens, GA; nephew and niece, Andrew and Elizabeth Stevens of Watkinsville, GA. Christian's legacy is that of a loving family man, a fierce patriot, a servant of the Lord and community, and a man who had an insatiable lust for adventure.� A Celebration of Life service will be at 2:00 pm on February 22, 2020 at Hopewell Baptist Church, located at 75 Ridge Rd Canton, GA 30114. Arrangements have been made by Christian's VFW family to have a reception at BridgeMill Clubhouse following the service. 1190 Bridge Mill Ave. Canton, GA 30114 In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the GoFundMe account. Gofundme.com search: Angel, Riley and Charlie Marie Caring FundCelebration of Life FEB 22. 2:00 PM (EST) Hopewell Baptist Church75 Ridge RoadCanton, GA 30114