George William Stevenson

George William Stevenson, 78, passed peacefully at home in Tulsa, OK on Saturday, December 26, 2020, with family by his side. George was born October 6, 1942, in Talihina, OK to his parents, John and Florence (James) Stevenson.
George grew up in Tulsa and graduated from Tulsa Central High School in 1961. He graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in 1966. George earned his Master’s and Doctoral degrees from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. His doctoral dissertation, “The Hymnody of the Choctaw Indians of Oklahoma”, examined the history, music, texts, and performance practices of Choctaw hymns. George was immersed in Choctaw hymn singing in his early childhood and was proud to honor his family and ancestors by sharing their traditions in his graduate work.
George earned the rank of Infantryman Fourth Class while assigned to the army First Infantry Division during a tour of duty in Vietnam in 1967-68. He was with two combat brigades and earned a Purple Heart with each. His decorations include the Vietnam service medal with three Bronze Stars; National Defense Service Medal; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Combat Infantryman’s Badge; First Oak Leaf Cluster to the Purple Heart (i.e., second Purple Heart); Sharpshooter Badge; and the 1st Class Gunner Badge (M-60 Machine Gun).
George worked in service of God throughout his career in music. From 1984 to 2014, he was an associate professor of music at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa. He retired from ORU after 30 years teaching Music History, Music in World Cultures, and Applied Voice. He also directed the University Chorale, Concert Choir, and Men’s Chorus. He was awarded Professor Emeritus status by ORU in 2015. He was the director of music at New Haven United Methodist Church from 1984 to 2004, where he led worship music and adult, youth, children and bell choirs. From 1979 to 1984, he was a professor of music at Bacone College in Muskogee and director of music at First Baptist Church in Fort Gibson.
George was a strong baritone and was a featured soloist in countless singing engagements in the oratorio genre, including more than 30 performances of G. F. Handel’s “The Messiah” at many area churches, notably St. Paul United Methodist Church in Muskogee. From Bach to the Beatles, he loved all forms of music. When he wasn’t directing, he would be attending performances at the Tulsa Philharmonic or performing in Gilbert and Sullivan Society productions at the TU Chapman Music Hall. May his legacy be that music and the arts, of all cultures, continue to live on in our hearts as we continue on this earth.
George is preceded in death by parents, John and Florence Stevenson (James), and brother John Stevenson, Jr. He is survived by his brothers Jim Stevenson and Philip Stevenson. He is also survived by daughter Sunny Harris, grandsons Otto Stevenson, Boris Harris and Ayden Harris of Tulsa; by daughter Holly Perry and husband Jeb Perry, grandchildren Brody Tunnell, Kate Tunnell and Chloe Tunnell of Tulsa; and by son Joseph Stevenson and wife Kathryn, grandsons Evan Stevenson and Luke Stevenson of Tulsa. He is also survived by an aunt Esther James, many cousins and an abundance of friends.