Leroy Eugene Steadman Jr.

Leroy Eugene Steadman, Jr. passed away peacefully on October 3, 2019 at 88 years of age. Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Blvd. in Austin, Texas will host a visitation period from 6:00-8:00 pm on October 9th and a memorial service at 11:00 am on October 10th, with burial to follow at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery.

Leroy (nick named "Roy Gene" by his mom) was born in Taylor, Texas on September 4, 1931. He is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years, Patricia Rae Barnes and their children: Mark Leroy Steadman & daughter-in-law Suzanne Holman Steadman; Kim Steadman Teich & son-in law Gary Teich. Leroy was blessed with 6 grandchildren: Clinton Bushn, Jennifer Gould (husband Austin Gould), San Marie Dyer (husband Justin Dyer), Kristen Cox (husband Lance Cox), Brandon Steadman, and Melissa Steadman Hart, plus 9 great grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister Deborah Sue Dowell & brother-in-law Stephen Dowell, sister-in-law Joanne Blair & brother-in-law Lee Roy Blair, sister-in-law June Hawley, and a host of nieces & nephews and great nieces & great nephews. He was preceded in death by his mom Thelma Eureka Johnson, his dad Leroy Eugene Steadman, Sr., and his sister Barbara Ann Pickle. As the patriarch of our family, he created an amazing legacy, exemplifying sacrificial, unconditional love, and will be dearly missed.

A lifelong Austinite, Leroy graduated from Austin High School, briefly attended Blinn Junior College and The University of Texas before becoming a lineman for Southwestern Bell Telephone. Shortly after marrying Patricia on August 30, 1951, he began his career in the Austin Fire Department and progressed quickly from hose man to become the youngest Captain in the history of the department. In 1980, he earned two associate degrees, one from Blinn and one from Austin Community College. He ultimately became Division Chief (in charge of all on-duty AFD firemen city-wide on his shift), retiring in 1988 with 36 years of service.

Leroy was an excellent athlete and loved playing sports of all kinds including volleyball, tennis, golf, racquetball, water & snow skiing, and bowling. He especially loved spending time at the lake with friends & family and always owned a ski boat. In 1962, he and his brothers-in-law built a houseboat on Lake Austin. In 1984, with the help of mostly fireman friends, he built a cabin on Lake Travis we lovingly call "Leroyal Palace". These properties became summer headquarters for the whole extended family – resulting in so many wonderful memories, summer holiday celebrations, and opportunities to teach countless people how to ski and ride a tube. He devoted many years to the Delwood Optimist Club coaching boys and young men to play Little League & Colt League baseball. When Mark & Kim were in high school, he was a well-known and beloved figure at football and dance team practices, always with a huge jug of sweet lemon iced tea in his hand. Grandpa's tea was also a favorite of his grandkids, so he had to refill his jug quite often!

After retiring from the fire department, Leroy went to work part-time for UT Recreational Sports until finally retiring for good in 1995. Leroy was a life-long supporter of The University of Texas at Austin and a season ticket holder for football, basketball, volleyball, and baseball games. Except for watching grandkids & great grandkids explore and excel at sports, dance, singing, & many other activities, nothing brought him more pleasure later in life than watching UT sports. In fact, Leroy continued to attend UT games whenever possible until shortly before his death.

Leroy was baptized as a child in St David’s Episcopal Church. As an adult, he worshipped at Skyview Baptist Church, Windsor Park Baptist Church and Riverbend Church. Leroy was a Master Mason at Hill City Lodge #456 and a member of the Austin Scottish Rite bodies.

In 2017, Leroy & Pat moved to Longhorn Village, an amazing retirement community near beautiful Steiner Ranch in west Austin. The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thanks to the staff and care givers at Longhorn Village for their tenderness and sincere concern for everyone during this difficult time. In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in his name be directed to the Shriners Hospitals for Children or to the charity of one’s choice.