Former South Africa Durban Mission President Dies (H. Dwayne Stevenson)
Salt Lake Tribune 26Aug99 L5
ormer South Africa Durban Mission President Dies (H. Dwayne Stevenson)

Former South Africa Durban Mission President and current Altamont, Utah Stake President H. Dwayne Stevenson died on Tuesday, August 24th from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Stevenson was an entrepreneur who started two companies and a maverick who followed his passion for politics.

After serving a mission in Paris, France in the early 1950s, Stevenson, a native of Mountain Home, Utah, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from BYU. He then went to work for Congressman David S. King of Utah and later became executive director of the Kennedy/Johnson presidential campaign for Utah.

His political experience led him to Washington D.C. when he was hired by Sargent Shriver to set up key aspects of the Peace Corps. After leaving the Peace Corp, Stevenson founded Research Homes of America, becoming its President.

A second business he formed, Marina Ventures International, built marinas worldwide. Building on his love of boating, Stevenson's firm constructed more than 300 marinas worldwide, including major marinas in Baltimore, Maryland, Jiddah, Saudi Arabia and in Hong Kong.

In 1994, Stevenson and his wife Carolyn were called to preside over the South Africa Durban Mission, serving until 1997. Stevenson considered his service to be one of his greatest achievements.

After returning from serving in Africa, Stevenson returned to the Altamont area, and was called as Stake President over the Altamont stake. He also had started to breed Elk in the area.

Stevenson is survived by his wife, Carolyn, who was also injured in the accident, his mother, seven children and 21 grandchildren.