Steve loved sports all his life.

Steve and his granddaughter, Jane Vandermeer.

Steven Kendrick Vandermeer passed away May 26, 2015. Steve was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, son in law, uncle and friend. Steve was born in Everett, Washington on January 31, 1952 to Fred and Louise Vandermeer (both deceased). He spent most of his childhood through adolescence in Felton, CA and graduated from San Lorenzo Valley High School in 1970. He married Elizabeth Johnson on January 27, 1979 and moved to Modesto, CA where both his sons, Aaron and Cy, were born and raised.

Steve worked for Viking Freight System turned FedEx Freight for 33 years. He earned countless customer service awards as a driver and dispatcher. Steve also received accolades for his coaching abilities on the baseball field and the basketball court. He coached successful little league seasons with the Rose Avenue Mustangs and basketball seasons with the Valley All Stars. Though he worked long hours, it never prevented him from attending both of his sons’ athletic endeavors. 

Shortly after retiring in 2008, Liz and Steve along with their two Chihuahuas, Alli and Bella, relocated to Humboldt County to be closer to family. Being retired suited Steve. It allowed him to explore his artistic roots. He rekindled his love for photography and discovered a talent for refurbishing seashells collected on local beaches into decorative art pieces. Steve and his wife Liz spent countless hours painting shells with their grandson Lucas. Steve also enjoyed jamming on his guitar to his favorite genre, the blues.

Steve was an excellent conversationalist who enjoyed getting to know anyone who engaged him. His open personality allowed people to open up to him as you would to a shrink. Steve was always willing to lend a helping hand to anybody who needed it and was often over at Susan’s or Cy’s to help manicure their yards into “park like settings.”

His generous and welcoming spirit will be missed by all who knew him.

Steven is survived by his beloved wife of 36 years, Liz; his sons, Aaron and Cy; daughter in law, Laura; grandchildren, Lucas and Jane; brother, Cy and sister, Susan, and numerous relatives and friends.

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The obituary above was submitted by Steven Vandermeer’ s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.