Steven Charles Ulbrich

Steven Charles Ulbrich, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend, was born June 15, 1948, in Rockford, Illinois, and peacefully passed away on May 21, 2025, in College Station, Texas, with his devoted wife Becky at his side. As a young boy, Steve trusted in Jesus Christ, and that most important relationship sustained him through life’s ups and downs. After growing up mostly in Cuba and Venezuela with his missionary parents, he graduated high school in Wichita, Kansas, in 1966. He then proudly served as a US Navy radioman during the Vietnam War, forming many lifelong friendships. After completing his time in the Navy, he attended Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. As a young man, he began sharing his musical talents in service to the church, leading worship and choirs in several congregations and working in youth ministry for many years. His faith shone through in his loving and generous nature, which touched the lives of all those around him. His professional life was notable for his long years of service in the Dallas area with Southwestern Bell Telephone and Texas Instruments.

Steve is preceded in death by his parents, Charles Robert Ulbrich and Norma Jean (Stevens) Ulbrich; his second wife, Jackie (Hayden) Ulbrich, and his stillborn granddaughter Kennedy Payne. He is survived by his wife Becky (Byers) Ulbrich, and sisters Sally Ramirez (David) of Texas, Susan Barnard (Terry) of Georgia, and Sandra Mitchell (Brian) of Georgia. Steve’s legacy lives on through his children Tammy Klopper (Hendrik) of South Africa, Angie Payne (Greg) of Texas, Robert Ulbrich (Maradee) of Texas; and step-children Craig Christan (Texas) and Alicia Miller (Darrell) of California. Steve dearly loved each of his 12 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, who knew him as “Poppi,” as well as his numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. They will all remember the laughter and joy he brought into their own lives and others’, as he had a talent for storytelling, jokes, and even putting on the occasional costume.

After cancer took his second wife Jackie, Steve reconnected and reconciled with his first wife, Becky, remarrying her in 2020 in College Station, Texas, where they lived for the last five years together enjoying retirement, taking trips, reminiscing about the past, and forming strong bonds with their children and grandchildren