Herman and Lovella Steever

Grand Prairie - Herman Steever, Jr., 66 yr resident of Grand Prairie, died March 17, 2012 at the age of 88. Born in Harrisburg, PA, October 27, 1923 to Herman Steever, Sr. and Naomi Scout, he attended Harrisburg schools and graduated from William Penn High School in 1941. He was in the Army Air Corp as a pilot cadet, stationed at Perrin Field, Texas. There he met the love of his life, Lovella Staton, soon to be Steever, and they married May 9, 1945. He was employed 35 years with Vought Aircraft, retired and became a school crossing guard for GPISD” just to stay busy.” He was a Boy Scout Troop Leader for 10 years with Troop 515, a member of First Presbyterian Church Grand Prairie since 1946, being an elder, clerk of the session and holding many other positions within the church over the years. He was the Captain of the Civil Air Patrol in Grand Prairie during the 1950s-1960s. His interests were varied and many, including drawing, woodworking, gardening, cooking, painting, singing, and taking care of nature. He loved to hand feed his backyard squirrels with an abundance of pecans. His love for all things green, growing and living was amazing. His greatest love was for his family, especially his grand and great grandchildren. He lived his life as a tribute to his Savior and was the finest example of a good and honest Christian man. His legacy will live on through every life he ever touched. Survivors include his daughters, Bonnie Cockrum (John), Marsha Patykiewicz (Hank) Brenda Steever; grandchildren, Shannon Price Wayland (Doug), Jeff Cockrum (Amy); great grandchildren, Delaney, Drake, Amanda Wayland, Taylor and Tanner Cockrum, great - granddaughter, Madilynn Wayland; sister, Gladys Steever, sister-in-law, Mary Staton, brothers-in-law, Bill Torbett and Bob Spangler, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife of 63 years, Lou, who died in May 2008.

Donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, the First Presbyterian Church Community Garden in Grand Prairie or the charity of your choice. If you want to make him smile, plant a tree in his memory.