Steven Clinger Stoker

Steven Clinger Stoker, 76 of Tempe, AZ left this world after a life well-lived. Steve was born December 19, 1946 to Willard Max Stoker and Eva Clinger Stoker. He was the oldest of six children. He grew up in Aberdeen, ID, enjoying the freedom and adventure of life in a small farming town.

Steve had a great passion for music throughout his life. In high school he played saxophone, taught middle school band, repaired band instruments, and even gave private music lessons. Steve was also active in choir and a variety of other vocal groups. He formed the quartet “The Notations” with his friends and they had much local success singing at assemblies and community events around Aberdeen. After graduating, Steve enrolled at Ricks college in Fall of 1965 to pursue a career as a music teacher, continuing to perform with the Notations during college. In 1966, world events and general restlessness prompted Steve to enlist in the Unites States Navy, where he was proud to perform as a member of the Drum and Bugle Corps. Following retirement, Steve spent countless hours creating playlists and burning CDs to share his most beloved music with his daughters and grandchildren.

Steve was an avid wordsmith and chronicled his boyhood adventures with family and friends in two books published in 2001 and 2004: “Aberdeen Stories” and “Aberdeen High Jinks.” After graduation, Steve’s early exploits in the United States Navy are recorded in his book “Beyond Aberdeen: A Bluejacket Diary.” In 2003 he also published “You May Think Life Stinks But It Could Be Verse,” a book of poetry filed with his trademark dry wit.

As a young sailor, Steve met Peggy Sue Chisenhall while stationed in southern California in late 1970 and the rest is history. Steve and Peggy were married in Las Vegas, NV on February 29, 1972. Two daughters soon followed; Kimberly Renee was born in 1974 and Christy Denise followed in 1976. The whole family relocated to Great Lakes, IL where Steve earned the rank of Chief Petty Officer First Class before retiring from his military career. Afterwards Steve continued to teach electronics at the College of Lake County. Eventually, Steve retired from teaching altogether and moved his family once more in 1990 to Tempe, AZ.

The initial marriage vows exchanged with Peggy were elevated to covenants for time and all eternity on June 23, 2006 in the Mesa LDS temple.

Steve had a great love of genealogy. This love, coupled with his amazing computer skills, enabled him to serve a family history mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was thrilled to put on his headset and nametag and assist callers with their research and provide technical support. He treasured this unique opportunity to serve the Lord from home.

Steve and Peggy both loved Arizona, and spent their early retirement enjoying films, curating an extensive collection of art, antiques, and oddities. Steve had a lifelong love of the ocean, which Peggy shared, and together they were able to take several cruises throughout the Pacific, Alaska, Panama, and Mexico. Of Peggy, Steve wrote “I consider her one of my greatest blessings, for she is not an average woman. As my arthritis has restricted my abilities, I am more and more convinced that the Lord put us together so that she would be there to take care of the things that most husbands can do and arthritic husbands cannot, things that ‘average’ women would not even attempt. This observation may not make sense to some people, but to me, it is crystal clear. Peggy’s extraordinary abilities have done much to lessen the impact of my physical limitations on our family. That cannot be denied."

Steve is a beloved husband, father, brother, and friend. He lived his life always showing a love for God, family, and country. Steve had an unshakeable faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Steve is preceded in death by his parents and brother Michael. Steve is survived by his eternal companion Peggy, his daughters Kimberly and Christy, and eight grandchildren: Sierra, Jeffrey, Mackenzie, Ainslee, Benjamin, Dexton, Reese, and Vanya. Steve also left behind his siblings Rebecca, Dorian, David, and Paul.

Steve succumbed to a respiratory infection on December 26, 2023 in Mesa, AZ. He will be remembered often by those that were lucky enough to have known him. Steve will be laid to rest February 28, 2023 at the National Cemetery of Arizona.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LakeshoreMort.com for the Stoker family.