Stephen Janos III

SFC Stephen “Steve” Janos III, 83, of Raeford, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 9, 2022 in his home. Steve was born May 17, 1939 in Dunellen, NJ, he was the eldest son of the late Stephen Jr and Clara (Lostak) Janos.

Steve served his country in the US Army under Food Service and as an Infantryman for 24 years and 4 months and he spent a majority of his time in various units under the 82nd Airborne Division. While serving as a Mess Hall Sergeant, he was called Spoon by all that served with him. He also served under the following units: 1st Special Forces Group, 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Brigade 8th Infantry Division, 50th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade, and the 327th Infantry Regiment under the 101st Airborne Division. During his service, he did five tours in Vietnam doing various operations from South to Central Vietnam; he also did a tour in Germany and Panama many years later. It was while he was in Vietnam that he met and married his love, Hue. Upon his retirement, he was presented an engraved plaque honoring him as “One Helluva Soldier,” which he was proud to show off to everyone that ever visited his home. After his retirement from the Army, he went returned to Food Service at McCain Prison as Operations Manager; he retired from the state, as well. He did various other jobs until his final employment, doing something he enjoyed very much, Ground Maintenance on Ft Bragg as a Civil Service employee, spending time outside and cutting grass being surrounded by fellow soldiers.

Steve was an avid fisherman and competed in many tournaments with Bragg Bass Busters. He was known as “Hook” on the bass fishing circuit. While traveling for tournaments, camping and vacations, he used his CB on the road, known to other road warriors as “The Jersey Rebel.” He was an active Master Mason in the Lebanon Lodge #391 A.F. & A.M.. He lived and loved the principles of Masonry. He was so proud of that affiliation. Through his involvement in Masonry, Steve became part of the Shriners through Shriners International, Hope Mills Shrine Club, Sudan Temple; which gave charitable focus to his personal integrity. Being part of fundraisers for Shriners' Hospitals for Children was very important to Steve. He dedicated many hours to fish fries, steak dinners, spaghetti plates, pancake breakfasts, raffles and even drove his 76 Cadillac Eldorado with the Sudan Convertibles and dressed up many times as hillbilly with the Sudan Hillbillies in numerous parades across North and South Carolina for many years. For a few of those years, he even published the Hope Mills Shrine Club monthly newsletter. Through all this, he evoked the Shriner philosophy, “A man never stands taller than when he stoops to help a child.” When Steve wasn’t out and about doing good deeds in the community, he enjoyed his life at home, too. On football Sunday the NFL games would be blasting on his big screen and he always rooted for his favorite Redskins. When the games weren’t on, he would be watching his favorite old Westerns or anything starring John Wayne. He loved cooking a feast during holidays, celebrations, homecomings and football Sundays. He was often found in his yard tending to his large vegetable garden and vast flower beds. Daily, he filled all of his bird feeders while talking to Misty, the cat, following his every step.

Family was important to Steve, and he always tried to reach out and do something special for them randomly. Besides his parents, Steve was predeceased by his sister Barbara and her husband Charlie Pender, his sister Claire “Snookie” and her husband Clifford “Rocky” Hardgrove, his brother in law, Alan Happe and his son in law, Ray Busch. He is survived by his beloved wife of 49.5 years, Hue, of the home, his children Debbie Janos (Joey Cervantes) of San Antonio, TX, Wanda Faass (John) of Wilmington, NC, Stephen J of Raeford, NC. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Raymond (Christine) -NC, Johnathon -NC, Cassandra -VA, Jessica (Blake) -NC, Jordon - NC, Rachel (Adam) -TX, Stephanie and Stephen J II both in Heidelberg, Germany; his great grandchildren Autumn - TX, Raeya - NC, Evalyn - NC, Aspen - TX, Gabriel - NC and one arriving soon - NC; as well as his siblings Alice Gibbon in NJ, John Janos (Bette) in PA, and Josephine Happe in NJ, and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family worldwide.

Jersey Rebel… over and out.

Rest easy now, soldier.

A visitation with family & friends for Steve will be held Sunday, August 14, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Reeves Funeral Home, 3308 N Main St, Hope Mills, North Carolina 28348.

A funeral service with masonic rites will occur Monday, August 15, 2022 at 10:00 AM, 3308 N Main St, Hope Mills, North Carolina 28348. The service will be live streaming for family and friends that cannot travel and be here in person via FB live on the Reeves Funeral Home Facebook page.

A burial with military honors will occur Monday, August 15, 2022 at 12:00 PM at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery, Spring Lake, North Carolina 28390. Steve will be laid to rest in Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the Masonic Home For Children (Oxford Orphanage) 600 College Street, Oxford NC 27565 to support his everlasting belief, “A man never stands taller than when he stoops to help a child.”