Lonnie Stepp

Born in Ashland, Ohio, Lonnie moved with his family to Tempe, Arizona in 1957. There, he was raised alongside his siblings and learned the art of clock repair from his father, Calvin Coolidge Stepp, who began teaching him the trade at the age of 12—a skill Lonnie would carry, cherish, and pass on to the next generation.

Lonnie graduated from McClintock High School in 1970 and enlisted the following year in the U.S. Army’s volunteer program initiated under President Nixon. He proudly served his country until 1976, earning the rank of Sergeant (E5) as an Armored Reconnaissance Track Commander of an M114 armored personnel carrier. His military service took him to duty stations in Ansbach, Germany; El Paso, Texas; and Wahiawa, Hawaii. He considered his years in the Army some of the most formative of his life.

In 1969, Lonnie met the love of his life, Sharon Ann Dempsey, while they were both working at Hilton’s Nursing Home in Phoenix. They married on October 28, 1972, at Southside Baptist Church in Tempe and began a journey of partnership and adventure that spanned more than five decades.

After his honorable discharge from the Army, Lonnie returned to Tempe, where he and Sharon started a family. He held a variety of jobs throughout his life, including working for Maricopa County, the State of Arizona, and the Veterans Administration. He also worked as a welder, a public school teacher, and eventually a business owner. In 1985, he earned his degree in History and English from Arizona State University, fulfilling a long-time goal. In 1987, Lonnie opened *Stepp’s Clock Shoppe* in Tempe, continuing the family trade and eventually passing it down to his son, Jeremy.

Lonnie retired in 1997 due to health reasons, but he never stopped learning, teaching, and loving. In retirement, he devoted himself to restoring and colorizing old photographs, researching his family's ancestry, advocating his political beliefs with unmistakable passion, and passing on his wisdom—both practical and philosophical. He found joy in classic cars, especially his cherished 1960 Chevrolet Bel Air, which he proudly passed down to his grandson. He remained sharp, witty, and wonderfully “ornery” to the very end.

Lonnie is survived by his devoted wife, Sharon Ann Stepp; his two sons, Jeremy Jonathan Stepp (Tonya Sejkora Stepp) and James Robert Stepp; and his beloved grandchildren, Calvin Jerry Stepp and Madelyn “Mimi” Janae Stepp. His legacy lives on in the values he embodied and instilled:

> Return with Honor

> Help others in need

> Give from your heart

> Tell the truth

> Stand up for what is right

> Defend the defenseless

> Be the most authentic, transparent version of ourselves

> Don’t back down when fighting for what matters most

> Put family first

> Keep your word

> Uphold the family name

> Own your mistakes—and fix them

> Live life, because it’s too short

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org) or that you honor Lonnie’s love for animals by rescuing a pet in need from your local shelter.