Steven Lavally Shockley

The family lived in Arkansas and California, before finally

settling in California where Steven finished school and joined the US Naval Mobile Construction Battalion in 1973. He was very proud to have served his country. Steven was able to travel the world and told many stories about the places he visited. During his time in the service, he was able to learn a trade that began a long career as a Welder, with the scars to prove it!

Steven was a hard worker and always provided for his family. Eventually he left welding to begin working for his late Uncle Paul at Paul Peters Construction. With a slowdown in the business, Steven worked for a number of companies, but wasn’t happy at any of them. Then an opportunity came for him to go back to work driving heavy equipment for his Aunt Nelda. He was finally back where he belonged and happy to be there!

On a fateful day in September of 1992 a little girl from next door came and asked Steven if he was lonely because her mom was too and if he would like to come over and visit. This began a lifetime of happiness with Cindy and her two daughters Amanda and Amber. Steven and Cindy went on their first date to the fair in 1992 and were inseparable from then on after. They made a life together of love and commitment. Steven was the ultimate gentleman, he opened doors and pulled out chairs. His life’s goal was to make Cindy happy and feel like the

luckiest woman in the world. Steven fulfilled that goal!

Steven became a Father to Cindy’s two young and impressionable daughters, Amanda and Amber helping them to become extraordinary women. Right from the beginning he loved and wanted to protect them from all of life’s hardships. They never doubted his commitment to them, never replacing their Dad, but continuing to raise them the way that he would with love and guidance. They had their ups and downs like any Father/Daughter relationship, but unconditional love always remained. He taught them that life wouldn’t always be fair, but if you work hard for what you want life wouldn’t let you down. He showed them by example of how a man should treat a woman, with unconditional respect, love, and care with how he treated their Mom. Amanda and Amber made him proud to be their Dad, and they were proud to call him Dad!

Steven was a family man. His proudest accomplishment was becoming Grandpa to two special boys, Ryan and Colton. He was their favorite playmate! Steven wasn’t afraid to get down to their level, roll on the floor, and be a kid himself with them. Those were the moments he lived for! Steven spent months rebuilding a tower in the yard for him, Ryan, Colton, and his great nephew Connor to play in both then and as they got older. Ryan and Grandpa spent many hours in the tower playing with superheroes, talking, and telling jokes. They had a very special relationship and Steven cherished the time they spent together. Papa, as Colton called him, and Colton were just getting to know each other as Colton got old enough to play. They had their routine down with checking the mail, feeding the tortoises, then running up and down the hall chasing the orange ball! He felt the name Grandpa was the best name in the world and he loved them to the moon and back!

Steven was their Superman Grandpa and has left them with memories that will be in their hearts forever, right along with his love for them and the tower he rebuilt!

Steven had a close relationship with his Great Nephew Connor. From the time he was a baby Steven and him crawl on the floor and play the “doors” game. They were best buds!

Steven and Cindy were able to move out to the country closer to her sister Karen Dole and husband Gordon. Steven was on cloud nine, he finally had room to roam! Steven had his work shop and plenty of space to do what he loved, working on “projects!” This also allowed them both to get closer to Karen and Gordon where they all went on vacations and little trips. Steven’s favorite was a 7 day cruise to Alaska they all had taken together. Steven was honored to call Gordon his best friend until his passing in June 2013.

Being the family man that he was, Steven loved his family very much. Steven was a “mama’s boy” which made him a wonderful man! He loved his visits with his mom playing many games of “Ten Thousand,” which his mom, Patsy would always win! He really enjoyed that time alone with her where they would reminisce and share stories from him

growing up, even if versions of them were different. Steven and his Brother Mitch would talk on the phone frequently, comparing aches and pains! He missed his Brother very much. Busy day to day life would get in the way of spending time with the rest of the family. He would say, “I have work to do!” then days, months, and sometimes years would pass without seeing each other. Regardless, Steven loved his family very much. His biggest heart ache was the estrangement from his daughter, Tracy. He would have loved for her to be a part of his life and him hers, along with being a wonderful Grandfather to Avery and Ryder.

Steven had a love for many things, two including Cindy’s homemade lasagna and Aunt Nelda’s homemade pecan pie! He enjoyed going to the casino to play Texas Hold’em. He could spend hours playing with just $100 and leaving only when he was too tired to continue. Above all, his favorite pass time was spending quality time with Cindy just sitting and talking. Steven had 4 battles with cancer, where he never lost hope and fought a great fight earning him the name, “Superman.” He never lost his contagious laugh, his sense of humor, strong work ethic, or his love for family. Steven always looked forward to the day when he could retire and enjoy his free time, we believe now he is.

Steven is survived by his loving Wife Cindy Shockley. Daughters; Amanda Vancil and husband Shane, and Amber Shaw. Grandsons; Ryan and Colton Vancil. Sisters-in-Law; Karen Dole (who was just sister!), and Pam Moore. Brother-in-law, Mike Sessions. Special “Great” nephew; Connor Shannon Hurst. Mother; Patsy Shockley, Brothers; Mitchel Shockley and Denice, Ronald Shockley and Sharon, and John Shockley. Sister; Debbie Orona and Felix. Aunt; Nelda Floyd and John. Daughter; Tracy Farris and Josh. Grandchildren; Avery and Ryder Farris. Numerous cousins, nieces, nephews.

Steven is proceeded in death by his Father Cleon Shockley and niece Jennifer Diedrich.