Steve Bivin

Steve Bivin was born in Cleveland, Oklahoma and attended school there for 11 years. Before his senior year, his dad was transferred. Steve attended his senior year and graduated from Drumright High School.

After high school, Steve attended Oklahoma State University, graduating in 1964 with a degree in agricultural science. He then went to work for his family’s pipeline company. Knowing that being drafted was probably in his future, he decided to enlist. He was contacted by a navy recruiter and they immediately signed him up for Officer Candidate School.

Steve spent 20 years in the Navy and retired as a Full Naval Commander 0-5, serving on active duty from 1966-1969. He served in the combat zone during the Vietnam War. He was a ship driver and drove destroyers, fleet Tugs and the carrier Midway. He served all over the South China Sea and in many countries.

In April, Steve will have been a member of the Lion’s Club for 50 years and has perfect attendance. He is a lifetime member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign War.

He met his wife Julie, a registered nurse, through his former Drumright pastor who moved to a church in Sallisaw, Julie’s hometown. They married in 1973. They have had an active and interesting life.

After his retirement the two of them moved to Idabel where they were both nursing home administrators and owned a nursing home and a motel from 1982- 1992. Needing to move closer to both their parents they sold their businesses and moved to Stroud where they purchased the Best Western which they owned and operated from 1992-1997.

The Bivins have two sons – Jeremy who resides in Stroud and is a paramedic firefighter and Ryan who is an assistant principal at Sand Springs High School. They have ten wonderful grandchildren.

The American Legion Auxiliary thanks you for your service. Commander Bivin will receive a gift certificate courtesy of Lin Cuisine.