Today is Steve's Birthday & as I celebrate this special day I am listening some of his favorite songs (WHICH ARE IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER);
California Dreaming by the Mamas & the Papas, Hotel California by the Eagles (one of his favorite groups), Born on the Bayou by Creedance Clearwater (another favorite), In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins (a favorite artist of his), The Immigrant Song by Led Zepplin, Thunderstruck by AC/DC, Evil Ways by Santana, Stuck in the Middle With You by Steeler's Wheel, Sitting on the Dock of The Bay by Otis Redding, When A Man Loves a Woman by Percy Sledge, Papa was a Rolling Stone by the Tempations (another favorite group), Heard it Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye, Unchained Melody by the Rigteous Brothers, Glory Days by Bruce Springsteen, Roll With it by Steve Winwood, Give Me One Reason by Tracey Chapman, If I Could Turn by Time by Cher, Days Go By by Dirty Vegas (also loved the video), On the Road & Always on My Mind by Willie Nelson (had a couple of albums), Crazy by Patsy Cline, Me & Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin, Gyspy by Stevie Nicks, Tube Snake Boogie by ZZ Top, Slege Hammer by Peter Gabriel, Wonderin' & Payola Blues by Neil Young, Baby Likes to Rock it by the Tractors (loved this video too), Streets of Bakersfield by Dwight Yoakum & Buck Owens, Bubba Hyde by Diamond Rio, Trashy Women by Confederate Railroad, As Good As I Once Was by Toby Keith & one of his favorite new songs was Rolling in the Deep by Adele. And the song that I told him I thought should be his motto: I Won't Back Down by Tom Petty,
I am deeply saddened to learn of Steve's death. I had know Steve since he was seventeen or eigthteen years old and it was my privledge to have had his friendship. "Stevie D.", as i called him was a kind generous man. He was one of the smartest individuals I have ever known. Stevie D. had three PhD's in common sense. He knew a little bit about everything.
In the early 2000's I was experiencing insurance adjuster problems with the Condo Association in Destin, FL that managed my condo's. I called Steve for help because I had known that he had experience as a Catastrophe Insurance Adjuster. As usual, Stevie D. advised me of my options with the management association and their BOD. He told me I was going to be skewered and I was.
Again, I called on Stevie D. to help me with the insurance adjusters after Hurricane Gustav wrecked my home. He came to my house to review the damage and advise. One thing that stands out was his advice for my carpet damage. Water had come through the roof in several upstairs rooms and damaged the carpet. I asked if the adjuster would replace all the carpet because only replacing the damaged area's would not blend.
Stevie D. told me "no". He stated that the adjuster would tell me that he was only reponsible for the damage up to the doorwqy in each room. I asked him what should I do with that advice? Stevie D, told me that I could remove all the interior doors so all the carpet would be free flowing from all the bedrooms througout the hallway. I told him that the adjuster would not believe I didn't have any bedroom doors. Stevie D. agreed that the adjuster would not believe me, but I should stick to my story of how I liked the open free flow of all the rooms. That was typical Stevie D. with a big grin and a look of, well, you asked.
I did not remove the doors, but told the adjuster that I could have done so. The adjuster was so amused with my wisdom that he approved new carpet throughout.
Stevie D. will be sadly missed by everyone who really knew him.
Steve had just finished his metal shop, which had a CNC Plasma table because his idea of retirement meant he could work for himself & not for someone else. He was working on the paint booth (that was in the wood shop) just a week before he passed away.
Love this picture of Steven Sr. & Steven Jr, they both have the same exact pose !!!
We had our Shih Tzu "Lucy" for almost 14 years, for 12 years we would pull her in a float in the annual "Mardi Paws Parade". One of his good friends Barry would paint the float for whatever the theme was that year. He met Barry when he took his first job as a designer with Walk Haydel.
This was Steve's first trip to California before we moved there. He stayed with his best friend Jack who took him to see the California coast. He loved the idea of moving there but after that visit he knew that it was time to begin the plans to make it happen.
