Stephen Eugene Burford (Steve), age 70, departed from his earthly dwelling in Visalia on May 21, 2020 in exchange for the ultimate heavenly fishing hole in the great beyond. Steve was born on September 29, 1949 to Ramona Wilde (Searcy) and Johnny Swaggert in Lindsay, CA. He was later adopted by his stepfather, Burke Burford, of Porterville, CA.
As a child, Steve himself would tell you that he grew to be equal parts ornery and honorable. He was a natural at entertaining others and playing pranks. Although he considered himself to be raised on a farm, Steve enjoyed extravagant travels with his mother as a child, even going on a trip to New York as early as 4 years old. Steve graduated from Hoover High School in 1967. After a stint in the National Guard in the late 1960s, Steve settled down in Fresno, CA. His entrepreneurial spirit took him into various forms of business-ownership and sales, most notably including: several gas stations; fishing expeditions; and wheel dealerships. Steve also was a factory representative for Colt Industries, Western Wheel, and Gregor Boats. At 50 years of age, Steve switched gears and went back to college, graduating with the class of 2000 from Fresno State, in order to become an educator. He taught several years until his retirement, serving primarily as an AutoCAD and Auto Shop teacher in several different school districts. He then retired to Oregon for a few years, and lived in Redding, CA for a couple of years thereafter, before returning to the Central Valley in 2017 and buying a home in Visalia, CA. During his lifetime, Steve enjoyed being married three times; driving and camping in his RV; hunting and shooting guns; various activities, parties, and sports with his large group of friends; and spending quality time with his Uncle Jimmy. Steve had a proclivity for both fresh water and saltwater fishing. He always owned a boat and loved to share his hobby with all his friends and family. Additionally, Steve enjoyed riding dirt bikes and racing motorcycles on the track, which he did even into his 50s. Later in his life, Steve owned a gun school that allowed him to share with others his deep appreciation for, and vast knowledge of, all different types of guns, as well as how to properly utilize gun safety and care. All his life, Steve absolutely adored his Aunt Delores Prevost (Searcy), who was like a second mother to him. Steve was passionate about his discipleship in the Christian faith and participated as a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Steve was well known by all for his fun, happy-go-lucky nature, good sense of humor, and his penchant for weaving together an entertaining story.
Left to cherish Steve’s memory is his sister Christina Dakin, and his nephews Steve, Keven, and Ryan Czomba, and great-nephew Robbie Czomba, all of Clovis, CA; as well as his Aunt Delores (Marvin) Prevost of Clovis, CA; and his uncle Jimmy (Carol) Searcy of Tulare, CA. Steve Burford was a person who always had a vivid story and hearty laugh to share with you, no matter who you were or how he knew you. In true Searcy family fashion, Steve really saw the humor in even the most challenging of obstacles throughout his lifetime and he enjoyed many laughs in his 70 years. His treasured memory is widely celebrated, and his loving spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
A future celebration of Steve’s life will be privately held by his closest family and friends, the timing of which is TBD. In lieu of flowers, Steve’s family requests that you please make a donation in his honor to Steve's preferred charity of choice, Paralyzed Veterans of America.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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