BEAVER DAM, Ky. — Frank J. Stevens, 88, of Beaver Dam, went to his heavenly home Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, at his residence. He was born Jan. 11, 1930, in Prentiss Community of Ohio County, Kentucky, to the late John Harlan Stevens and Alice Shultz Stevens.
Mr. Stevens was a member or Slaty Creek Baptist Church and attended New Assembly of God. He also served in the United States Army during the Korean War as a cook.
He started a trucking business and hauled coal in Ohio County. Then he was manager of the Texaco service station located where Bolin’s Fruit Market is now located. When the station closed, he drove a truck and trailer for Brewer Manufacturing. He took a job with Ligon Specialized Haulers in Madisonville.
Frank had purchased two brand new steel tarps and noticed a tear in one of them. In 1966, he opened the Tarp Shop in Beaver Dam, next to Ohio County Lockers, the rest is history.
Frank became a prosperous businessman, bought his first farm in 1969 where he and Ruby raised two sons, Eddie Wayne and Bobby. Frank built a new Tarp Shop located on his second farm on Hamlin Chapel Road in Beaver Dam. There he operated a business as well as raising cattle and horses. The Tarp Shop closed its doors in 2008 due to health reasons. Frank enjoyed dirt stock car races, fishing, watching U.K. basketball and Family Feud.
Aside from his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Crabb Stevens, and brother, Dell Stevens.
He leaves behind four children, Frank Dennis (Landy) Stevens, of Monroe, Michigan, Drema Lynn Knight, of Columbus, Ohio, Bobby (Kitty) Stevens, of Beaver Dam, and Eddie Wayne Stevens, of Cromwell, Kentucky; 12 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29, at William L. Danks Funeral Home in Beaver Dam. Burial will follow in Green River Cemetery in Cromwell.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.danksfuneralhome.com.