L. "Steve" Stephen Smock Jr.

L. Stephen “Steve” Smock, Jr., 67, peacefully passed this earthly life on Thursday, October 8, 2020 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Born in Bloomington, Indiana to parents Louis Stephen Smock (Lynn, Indiana) and Louise Marie Maki Smock (Owen, Wisconsin), Steve resided during his formative years in Fort Wayne though spent many of his happiest adult years in Auburn, Indiana. He worked for many years at Reeves Bros., then Foamex in Auburn. Steve, an old soul, was gentle and introspective. He loved nature seen through the filter of his artful and often photographic eye with prisms, color and light, as a professionally trained photographer. Steve didn’t measure success in this life by status, job, education or money, but rather by being true to his values of being patient and kind, peaceful, loving and generous. He was clear about his path to see his God. Steve’s absolute joy in life was being a witness to his son Chris’ journey, and those of his children by marriage and his nephews, in becoming truly upstanding young men and women. He loved taking long nature walks and fishing trips on small lakes and large – only keeping fish for food. He was happy spending time in or near any body of water. He especially enjoyed discussing American history - Ken Burns’ works were a favorite, politics, and being right. As the oldest of three, he has always led the way. A longstanding fan of professional football and baseball, trips to see the Bears and Cubs were among his favorite things to do. Steve loved Italian foods and pineapple in all its forms, including his favorite birthday cake, pineapple upside down cake. Steve sacrificed a great deal as he unselfishly worked to provide a good life for all those who loved him and for whom he loved greatly. He touched and guided so many lives with his gentle and quiet demeanor and dry wit, wisdom and love. He was a role model for his son whom he loved beyond all measure, Christopher “Chris” Louis Smock of Fort Wayne, his children by marriage whom he loved as his own, Kevin A. (Dawn) Nofzinger, Sean M. (Jennifer) Nofzinger, Jody (Jeffrey) Cook, Joe (Julie) Nack, all of Auburn, Indiana, Daymond (Laura) Nack of Traverse City, Michigan, and nephews Wes (Jammie) Bandor of Aurora, Colorado and Cliff Bandor of Fort Wayne, and he adored his grandchildren by marriage and great nieces and nephews. He is also survived by two loving sisters – Vicki (Thomas) Bandor Braun of Fort Wayne and Pamela (Chris) Chisholm of Elmore, Ohio and those he loved in marriage: Laura Smock and Peggy Smock. He cared deeply for his daily canine companion, Adeline “Addie” and those who came before: Brandi, Bolero, Inky, among others. He is now reunited with his beloved mother and father and all those loved ones gone before. May the blessings be. A private graveside service for the family will be held at a future time. Burial will be in the natural burial area surrounded by family and trees in Concordia Cemetery and Cremation Gardens, 5300 Lake Avenue, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Memorials may be given for the family, mailed to: Pam Chisholm 15641 SR 105, Elmore, Ohio 43416.