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Steven Reyes Obituary
On the evening of Memorial Day, May 27, 2019, Steven V. Reyes went home to be with the Lord, at the age of 66. He was born on December 26, 1952, in New York City, New York. His parents were Esteban and Candida Reyes and they were delighted to finally have a son.
He graduated from Aviation High School in 1971 and eventually joined the United States Air Force in 1973, towards the end of the Vietnam War. In November 1977, he married Yolanda Roberts and together they had a son, Bradley.
Steven tried his hand at numerous things; however, airplanes once again called his name. He joined the United States Air Force Reserves as a crew chief on KC-135s in 1982, at Mather AFB. He then crossed over to the flight engineer world on the C-141s at Travis AFB until 1995. Steven began noticing the nice new airplanes that had come to Travis AFB and decided to then cross over to the KC-10. He flew the "10" until 2000 and went to work for Boeing Aerospace that same year. Flight Safety would eventually receive the contract with the Air Force. Steven was a flight engineer instructor for them until he passed.
Steven obtained degrees from both the Community College of the Air Force and Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. He immensely enjoyed dancing, singing and playing the congas. He just had that Latin rhythm. You would find him on the music ministry team at whatever church he attended. He loved people and in return, people loved Steven. He never knew a stranger.
While in the Air Force, Steven participated in a variety of missions. The invasion of Grenada and Panama and both Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm are just a few. Two of the missions that he was most proud of participating in were flying the body of Vietnam's Unknown Serviceman to Washington, D.C. and transporting supplies to the South Pole. And if that wasn't enough, Steven enjoyed the opportunity to play "hero" if given the chance.
In 1993 while on his way home, he pulled the driver from the wreckage of a car accident and assisted paramedics with the difficult extraction of an injured passenger. He was nominated for the award of the Airman's Medal. The life of Steven Reyes was anything but boring.
Steven is preceded in death by his parents, Esteban and Candida Reyes; and his sister, Anaida Colon.
He is survived by his wife Yolanda, of 41 years; son Bradley; sisters: Candi (Richard) Lindeman, Milta Reyes, Reinalda (Paul) Waters; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
His Memorial Service will be held Saturday, June 15, 2019, 1:00 pm at Gracelife Church, 671 East Ave., Lincoln, CA.
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Memories and Condolences
for Steven Reyes
Mario Andujo
June 6, 2024
Spent many years with my brother Steven, 141 and the "10", will never forget his kindness, friendship, and his laughter. Truly missed dear friend and fellow veteran
Judy Baines
April 18, 2020
I had been trying to reach Steve but could not. So I decided to check obituaries and found him. I am heartbroken that I did not get to talk to him before he passed. I did not know he was sick and I feel so sad that I did not get to speak to him. We have known each other since Farmingdale College in 1974. We would talk but not often. He was a great friend and I will miss him.
Terri Lynam Enlow
June 13, 2019
I had the great pleasure of flying with Steve many times in the C-141; we shared adventures around the world. He was always the consummate professional and a gentleman and such a nice guy - it was a privilege to have him on my crew. My condolences to his family and to all of us who share their sorrow in losing such a wonderful person. Steve, you are gone too soon and many, many, many of us who had the honor to know you will miss you and remember...
Mike Pohl
June 13, 2019
Steve,
I want to say "Thank You" for your friendship and the memories flying together.
You always had a smile on your face and saw the best in each of us even when we didn't see it in ourselves.
You will be missed but never forgotten.
Mike Pohl
June 12, 2019
How does one say "Thank You" for your friendship and the many memories you have given me of flying together? You always had a smile on your face and saw the best in all of us even when we couldn't see it in ourselves. You will be missed my friend but you shall never be forgotten.
Ben Reed
June 12, 2019
Steve
Stephanie Shortridge
June 12, 2019
Even though I didn't know Steven along time , he was one of the nicest , giving , caring men I've ever known ! A few days before his passing I got to spend over an hour visiting and talking with him , he was home that day not feeling good , but you would never know it , he was always caring about others and not himself ! I am so thankful I got that time to visit with him ! I will always remember that time and keep him in my heart ! I wish more men could be like him! He will truly be missed !
John & Vicki Garton
June 12, 2019
Steven always had a smile on his face whenever we saw him. He was one who enjoyed people and always had an interesting story to tell you. Rest In Peace my friend.
Mario Andujo
June 12, 2019
Brother Steven, was such a pleasure and honor to be your crew Chief on both the 141 and the KC-10, we've served many years together my friend and traveled many miles, your loss is such a heartbreak for me, I thank you for your advice, kindness, friendship and being the mentor which made my career so very rewarding, RIP my brother
Reinalda Waters
June 12, 2019
STEVEN WAS MY BABY BROTHER, MY FRIEND, MY CONFIDANTE. WE WERE ONLY A YEAR AND A HALF APART; AND I STILL REMEMBER WALKING HOME FROM SCHOOL, HOLDING HIS HAND. I PLAYED PROTECTOR; AND ONE DAY HE JUST GREW UP TALL; AND BECAME, ONE OF THE, KINDEST, INTELLIGENT AND AMAZING MEN I HAVE EVER KNOWN. HE SET THE BAR HIGH. BUT HE ALSO LED BY EXAMPLE. THEN, AND THROUGHOUT OUR GROWN UP YEARS, WE BECAME EVEN CLOSER. WE WOULD TALK 3 OR 4 TIMES A WEEK, ON HIS WAY TO WORK OR ON HIS WAY HOME. WE SHARED SO MUCH, TALKED ABOUT ALL SORTS OF THINGS. WE HAD A COMMON INTEREST, PLANES. I HAD FLOWN WITH PAN AM; AND FLEW INTO IRAN DURING THE WAR. I WAS HUMBLED AND TOUCHED, WHEN HE TOLD ME, I WOULD HAVE MADE A GOOD SOLDIER; AND WHEN I VISITED CALIFORNIA, WE WOULD SING IN THE CAR. WE BOTH LOVED MUSIC AND THE STAGE. BUT EVEN MORE, WE SHARED OUR FAITH, AND SIMILAR VIEWS OF THE WORLD. ALTHOUGH HE WAS A TAD YOUNGER, HIS WORDS OF WISDOM AND HIS LOVE OF GOD, MENTORED ME...COMFORTED ME. MY HEART IS SHATTERED. I FIND MYSELF WAITING FOR HIS CALL; AND THEN, REALITY SETS IN...AND TEARS JUST FALL. I MISS MY BABY BROTHER...MY FRIEND. BUT I KNOW, WE WILL MEET AGAIN SOMEDAY! HE WAS A GIANT AMONG MEN, IN BENEVOLENCE AND COURAGE! HIS LOVE OF GOD AND COUNTRY WAS UNDENIABLE. HE LIVED HIS DREAM. HE FLEW. HE WAS A PATRIOT AND SOLDIER; AND I CANNOT BE PROUDER, TO HAVE BEEN PRIVILEGED TO HAVE HAD HIM IN MY LIFE; AND CALL HIM MY BROTHER. WORDS CANNOT ADEQUATELY EXPRESS HIS LOSS TO ME AND SO MANY OTHERS. LAIDA
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