Steve Smith

(From Parker Mortuary)

Steven Eugene Smith passed away unexpectedly Thursday morning. He was born January 23, 1954, in Hutchinson, Kansas to Virgie and Wilman ‘Gene’ Smith. He attended school in Hutchinson and Pretty Prairie, Kansas where he played football and ran cross country. 

In the early 1970’s Steve moved to the Joplin area, where he worked at Stinger Sam’s, The Pepsi Distribution and Bagcraft. In 1971 he joined the Missouri National Guard 203rd Engineer Battalion, where he served 6 years.

In 1973 while working for Bagcraft as a Maintenance Engineer he met the love of his life, Janie Starchman Doty. They married on June 8, 1974, and had 3 children, Tammy, Jeremy and Stephanie. In the late 70’s Steve went to for Ace Electric in Columbus, Kansas. While employed he met some of his lifelong friends, whom he and his family enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing and everyday life with.

In 1982 the family moved to Manhattan, Kansas where he worked for TRW as an Electrical Engineer, where they made armature motors for the US Defense Department. In 1986 they moved again to Stillwater, Oklahoma where Steve worked as an Electrical Maintenance Engineer with Mercury Marine. All the companies he worked for he met some amazing people that he was proud to call his friends and brothers.

In the 90’s Steve and Janie opened Dependable Heating and Air. Dependable is Steve’s life work, together with Janie, and several family members they have kept the Joplin area cool in the summer and warm in the winter. During Steve’s 32 years as a business owner, he mentored several young men. He wanted to see everyone better themselves and would teach anyone anything if they were willing to learn.

Steve was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather Virgie and Clarence Danley, father Wilman ‘Gene” Smith, and son Jeremy Dean Doty.

His loving wife of 47 years, Janie Smith survives of the home, his daughters; Tammy (George) Bevins, Stephanie (Dave) Stapleton, a sister Pam Smith all of Joplin, and other siblings Debbie, Rona, Shawna, Rita and Ed. Also surviving: 7 grandkids, their spouses, and 2 great grandsons. Steve is also survived by several nephews, nieces, and other extended family members that meant the world to him.

Steve had an amazing sense of humor, whit and wisdom to be shared. He was fun loving and loved a good practical joke.

Funeral Service will be held Monday, August 9, 2021 at 10:00am in Parker Mortuary Chapel with burial to follow at Union Chapel Cemetery.

The family has requested in lieu of flowers to send donation to Joplin Humane Society.