Jackie "Papa" Jack Gene Steinhour

Jackie –Jack – “Papa” Steinhour, USN Retired, passed away in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA at the family home Friday, May 1, 2020 with his family at his bedside. He was born March 19, 1941 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska to Avis Maxine Cassel and Arley Rhea Steinhour. He grew up in Torrington, WY and attended schools there. Following his education, Jack enlisted in the Navy at age 17. He served his country honorably during the Vietnam era. Jack’s first duty station was aboard the USS Bayfield which he spoke about often. He was also stationed aboard the USS Tutuila, USS Vigor, USS Lind, USS Prichart, USS Braine, USS Bradley, USS Koka and the USS Proteus. Jack was regarded with the personal characteristics and traits of a dedicated career sailor with the Navy’s best interest in mind. Jack retired after 20 years of service. While in the Navy Jack created many friendships. He actively coached football for the Pop Warner Teams of Navy dependents, the woman’s softball teams and was the most winningest offensive coach for the USS Proteus Packers. He earned an impressive array of decorations and awards including Two Meritorious unit citations, Three Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Silver Star, Humanitarian Award, Vietnamese Campaign Medal and the Vietnamese Meritorious Unit Citation.

While on leave at his hometown of Scottsbluff he met the love of his life, Norma Eleanor Royle, shortly afterward he had orders for Vietnam. Jack left in October 1967, returned to Norma in October 1968, and married her on October 13 in Broomfield, Colorado. Together they have celebrated over 51 years of marriage.

Jack, Norma and the kids traveled with his military career spending time in San Diego and Guam. After his retirement the family relocated to Colorado where the family made their home. Jack became a real estate broker and opened his own firm while his wife Norma worked at the Air Force Academy. In 2000 Jack’s heart started to fail him, he was placed on the donor recipient list for a number years where he would be shuffled on the order depending on matches. He moved around from Colorado Springs to Chicago and eventually to the Bay area when he finally received “the call” that they had a match in the summer of 2005. Jack had received his new heart and a new lease on life. He stayed in the Bay area with his daughter and her family while undergoing follow up treatment. A few months later his wife joined him. With his new heart also came probable risks; risks of rejection by his body and risk of possible liver damage with the medications required to sustain the process. Jack defied the odds and lived a wonderful life for 15 years exceeding the average time by 8 years. Everyday his family had him and everyday he had his family was a true gift.

We would be remiss if we didn’t mention Jack’s entrepreneurial spirit and his sharing in a number of business adventures with his friends and families. Jack owned and raced quarter horses and thoroughbreds and spent his share of time in the winner’s circle or at least enough time to support his “hobbies.” He had commercial office buildings, rental homes and restaurants. Jack welcomed everyone he met with a hug, handshake, meal and a drink. Jack loved to entertain, and he was an amazing host always making sure everyone’s needs were met before he sat to eat, he simply had a heart for service and serving others. He had a genuine soft spot for everyone and everything, never afraid to show his emotions, he had a passion for compassion.

Jack is survived by his wife Norma; four daughters, JoAnn Harrison (Leigh), Cindy Riley, Ann Mikeska (Dennis) and Rebecca Alarcon (Michael) ; two sons, Dan Steinhour (Elise) and Jack Steinhour (Ania) ; nineteen grandchildren, Misty, Chiara, Forrest, Reilly, Shawn, Travis, Heather, Kristin, Brianna, Jacob, Jeffrey, Tyler, Megan, Chase, Reese, Jordan, Indigo, Colt and Amber ; 17 great-great grandchildren; one sister Joyce and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, adopted friends and neighbors. For Jack everyone was family.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 6 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM followed by his Celebration of Life at 7:00 PM at Fairhaven Memorial Services, Mission Viejo, CA.

Interment with Military Honors will be held at Miramar National Cemetery, San Diego, CA at a later date.

Special Note:

Friends and Family

With the COVID Restrictions we are limited to guest that may attend. Jack's Celebration of Life will be Live-Streamed through One Room.

Copy and paste the link below and enter the Event and Password about 10 minutes prior to the service.

https://oneroomstreaming.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3eDv9dOa6QIVi4zICh0ltQddEAAYASAAEgKoX_D_BwE

Event: FairhavenMV

Password: TNARBB