Steven Thomas Pence

The corporeal body of Steven Thomas Pence seceded from our living world on February 1, 2025, at the age of 63. Typical of Steve, his unrelenting joie de vivre surpassed his body’s stubborn limitations. Those of us who had the good fortune of recently spending time with Steve are left a little surprised and wavering between momentary sorrow and blissful reflection.

Steve was born in the Panama Canal Zone on August 21, 1961, although you wouldn’t know it from his refusal to learn a lick of Spanish. Steve was predeceased by his mother and father but left us early enough to be posthumously revered by his quarrelsome brothers, Patrick (big bro) and George (little bro), doting niece, Alexis, and lifelong best friend and cohort, Keith.

Steve graduated from University of Texas and spent most of remaining his life in Austin, Texas. Steve thrived in sales, both professionally and personally. Professionally, he hawked software and (mostly) renovated homes. Personally, Steve freely advised those that listened (or not) on his devotion to faith, commitment to politics and absurd dedication to the Dallas Cowboys. Steve held a steadfast concern for humanity and commitment to charity, whether for persons in his own community or others in countries he’d never been to or be able find on a map. Steve regularly found reasons and excuses to gather friends and family for dinners, parties and watching sports. Of particular import in Steve’s life was a decade-plus service as team manager for a beer-league softball team known as “Industrial Waste”. Those who served as teammates and remain lifelong mates today include, but are not limited to, Bill, Dave, Gary, Henry, Keith, Ken, Mark, Paul, Pete, Rob and Zander.

Steve was a member of Shoreline Church here in Austin, where he befriended countless others for over thirty years. He served as an usher, greeter, member of the set-up team, Men’s Group leader and helped with feeding homeless in the community. He was a mainstay in weekly neighborhood bible study groups and will be missed for his benevolence and companionship.

Special recognition and thanks go to Steve’s neighbors (Dylan and Mallory) for giving Steve one last party to crash on the night of his death. They cared for Steve up to his last fighting moment and made sure he died with friends at his side. Thank you.

Steve’s inurnment will be at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery & Mausoleum. Steve may be disappointed we did not build him a statue, but we did secure a glass niche to place his urn and select personal items, just in case anyone wants to stop by and high-five his windowpane on the Azalea Columbarium, Row 7H.

No donations are requested or wanted. Instead, please donate your love and goodwill toward persons or ambitions still remaining in your own life. Remember Steve by passing those good feelings onto others and making life better for you and those around you.

A ceremony will be held at Cook-Walden on Monday, March 10, 2025 starting at 10:00 AM. Steve will probably be a little late.