BAXLEY, STEPHEN RAY. Stephen Ray Baxley, 63, passed away on April 19, 2018, at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego, California from complications resulting from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease). He was born in San Diego on September 13, 1954, and was raised in La Mesa, California. He graduated from Helix High School in 1973, where he served as the editor of the school newspaper and lettered as a sports trainer for the football, basketball, and wrestling teams. He graduated with distinction from San Diego State University with degrees in History and Journalism in 198? After college, he served for 37 years in civil service for the U.S. Navy as a technical writer/editor, first for the Naval Air Rework Facility on North Island, and then at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Pacific (SSC-Pacific). He only recently retired from SSC-Pacific on March 17, 2018.
Stephen was a devoted Christian and a life-long Southern Baptist and had a zeal for the soundness of biblical doctrine. He had a passion for the attainment of knowledge – he maintained a library of thousands of books. He spent many hours studying theology, the Bible, history, politics, economics, philosophy, baseball, cinema, pop culture, and science fiction, to name a few. He loved to watch football, but he particularly loved baseball and the history of America’s Pastime. He was a huge fan of 60’s instrumental guitar groups such as The Ventures and The Shadows.
Stephen is survived by his brother, Paul Baxley of San Diego; three nephews, and three grand-nieces.
Regardless of his trials with diabetes and ALS, Stephen died peacefully with a knowledge of his hope of glory in Jesus Christ. He was a gentle soul who was kind to everyone he met. He had a deep love for his parents and loved to be around his nephews and their families. His family and friends will miss his genuineness, his gentleness, his humor, and the good times shared with him.
A funeral/memorial service will be held on Friday, April 29 at 10:00 AM, at El Camino Memorial Park Sorrento Valley, 5600 Carroll Canyon Road, San Diego, CA 92121. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Stephen to the ALS Associations (www.als.org).
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18