Stephen Lee Malpass

Stephen Lee Malpass, aged 79, of Wilmington, North Carolina went to be with the Lord on June 27th, 2026. He was born in Wilmington on December 10th,1946 to parents Obed Lee Malpass and Mildred Karkausky. Steve, as preferred to be called was an only child and well-loved by his parents and friends. He had a love, as most boys do, for machinery and things that could go fast. He also knew beauty when he saw it. This is exemplified by how quickly he asked Connie Malpass to marry him. He and Connie met in 1968 on a blind date, a year after his graduation from New Hanover High School in 1967. It was only their second date when he asked Connie to marry him. On November 8th, 1968, the two exchanged vows that they have since carried through many wonderful and exciting years of marriage. A few days after their wedding, at the ripe age of 21, Steve was on a plane to Vietnam. He served as a member of a Medevac unit called “DUSTOFF” between December 1968 - December 1969. During this time, Steve, and other Medevac units like his, participated in thousands of aeromedical missions and evacuated nearly a quarter of a million wounded soldiers. He was stationed in Vung Tau as part of the 36th Evacuation Hospital, which saw frequent action throughout 1969. Steve received two campaign medals, as well as the Army Commendation Medal, which was awarded to those responsible for “distinguishing oneself through heroism, extraordinary achievement, and/or meritorious service/duty". He would have been directly involved in the life-saving retrieval and care of thousands of soldiers.While Steve did not like to discuss his time in the service, he never failed to thank fellow veterans for their service. He is likely a large part of the reason many of those he thanked made it home.

Upon his return home from the service, Steve attended Cape Fear Tech and in 1973 received his Associate's Degree in Applied Science with a focus on Drafting and Design Technology. Steve worked at Timme Corporation until he found a position at CP&L with the Nuclear Plant’s Rad Waste team in Southport, which he held for 18 years. He then began a career as a detail-driven groundskeeper for the hospital, as well as for New Hanover Parks and Recreation, where he stayed until his retirement in 2019. He and Connie spent much of their time during the 70’s-80’s racing jeeps with the Southeastern 4 Wheelers club. While he didn’t win too many trophies racing — often because he’d broken something on the jeep when leaving the starting line — he loved it. Steve would limp back to Wilmington and fix up the jeep before the next race. They also enjoyed taking yearly ski trips with several of their friends and spending hours together reading or scouring the beach for shells. He adored a good thunderstorm, taking their dog Sam for walks, and sitting on the back porch with Connie.

Steve was a gentle giant known for his generosity and kindness. He had a patient and tender demeanor that was inspiring, considering all the things he encountered while in Vietnam. He was a wonderful mentor and role model who never let a mean word slip past his lips. He spent many of his final years in and out of the hospital and even still, his smile and easygoing spirit persisted. He would attribute his unwavering strength to a deep faith in the Lord, who he would assure you, has greatly blessed him in life. Steve loved to witness to others and would ask you, reader, do you know where you are going at the end of your days? It was very important to him that you know God loves you and has made a way for you through the gift of salvation.

Steve is survived by his loving wife Connie, his son Branch (Dezzy), his daughter Olive (Zack), as well as his beloved Peace Baptist Church family.

A graveside service in honor of Steve’s legacy will be held at Oleander Memorial Gardens at 11am on Wednesday, July 1st. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Peace Baptist Church’s Air Conditioning Fund. Donations may be mailed to: Peace Baptist Church, 320 Military Cutoff Rd, Wilmington, NC 28405