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Steve Park Obituary
44, of Vail, Arizona unexpectedly passed far too soon from this life, in his sleep, on December 27, 2014. Born on February 4, 1970, in Birmingham, Ala., Steve had a kind heart and a gentle soul. He graduated from Shadow Mountain High School in 1988 and the University of Arizona four years later, in 1992. He was an avid sports fan-- he loved the Wildcats along with the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles. He spent the last 15 years serving in the U.S. Border Patrol, first working out of Naco, Arizona, and later transferring to the Tucson sector. Steve dreamed of retiring in the next five years, after which he would pass his time on the beach while trying to figure out how to beat the house at blackjack on his occasional trips to Las Vegas. Steve had a great sense of humor and was well known for his loyalty to his friends, his Border Patrol co-workers, and to his 17 year old Toyota truck that showed every one of the 200 plus thousand miles he put on it. He is preceded in death by his mother Barbara, and survived by his father Richard, his brother Dave, his sister-in-law Renee, two nephews Calvin and Nathan (who loved playing with their "Monkey" Steve more than anyone), and numerous aunts, uncles, and in-laws. In honor of Steve's memory, and in lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Border Patrol Foundation, (borderpatrolfoundation.org) which helps support the families of injured or fallen Border Patrol agents.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Steve Park
Rachel
December 25, 2023
Blue light shines bright brother thinking of you.
Rachel
December 25, 2022
Fireman´s Carry is a great shared memory. Thanks Park!
Danielle Easton
December 27, 2021
It is hard to believe that you have been gone now for seven years today. I miss you very much, and wish that you were here. No one can cheer me up like you always could. I look forward to the day that we meet again. Til then, rest in peace my friend.
Rachel
December 25, 2021
Retired almost one year now. Lazy. Not fat. Still lifting. Still running. You´d be proud. Thank you for watching over me us. Life as MC of heaven and entertaining the angels and God must be amazing! Merry Christmas Park!
Patrick Reilly
December 26, 2020
I was honored to get to know Steve over the time we spent together at Tucson Sector CIT. I was utterly floored to hear that he’d passed away, and to think of it now still seems unbelievable even these six years later. I still think of Steve often, and miss “Old Man Park” immensely. The world is a dimmer place for the lack of him.
Rest easy, Steve. Miss you, buddy.
Reilly
Rachel Gonzales
December 25, 2020
Steve, I’m retiring in the next several days. I leave with good memories. Peace.
Rachel Gonzales
December 25, 2019
Steve was thinking about you recently when we did BORSTAR tryouts and we partnered up to do the firemans carry. We had fun! Im sure youre keeping the angels and the Lord entertained and helping them watch over us. Miss ya!
Ray Conn
February 9, 2017
I never knew Steve. Only found out that he was my cousin. I am from Scotland. My 28 year old Son Byron a gifted musician and my youngest brother Brenden both died in their sleep. I feel for the family and know how tough this is to take on a daily basis. Steve sounds like quite a few of our family...we have many happy jokers. The Park family originally came from Muirkirk, Ayrshire, Scotland. RIP STEVE.
Ramon Rangel
January 18, 2015
So sorry to hear this sad news. I hadn't seen Steve since the Academy, he was was my BP classmate. I do remember his sense of humor and quick wit while at the Academy. His memos while at the Academy were always funny and creative, no surprise after he revealed how he got that from his mom. My condolences to his family. RIP brother.
Linda Laxton
January 9, 2015
What a shock to hear about Steve. We worked together at the State Compensation Fund in Phoenix. He was about 24 or 25 when he started working there...just a kid. He liked to mess up my hair. I called him Little Stevie. The last time I had any contact with him was in 2005. I will never forget you my friend. RIP.
Staff at Gardner's Book Service
January 8, 2015
Words cannot express how sad we are to hear this news. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time. We are so very sorry.
Ricky Darren
January 6, 2015
I'm really sorry to hear about the lost of a good friend. I just found out by a really good friend of ours ..Steve and I have worked together a few times.. he was a very down to earth kind of guy..
He was very good at his job. A funny story I do remember was a few years ago we were standing out of our work trucks and we kept hearing a noise as we thought it was the wind, we started to walk around the trucks and he said come look at this.. To find out it was a huge bull snake hissing at us on the tire while we were talking... You will be missed Steve and thank you for all you have done...
Randy McLean
January 6, 2015
Steve & I were hired at the same time, trained & worked together for the AZ State Fund Special Investigations Unit. He was a surveillance investigator. I inherited his surveillance vehicle when he left for the Border Patrol, a Chevy S-10 pickup with a camper shell which was accessible through a custom rear window he designed, big enough for Steve to crawl through, difficult for me. He got a kick out of that. Steve was a great guy; he was always smiling, cracking jokes or horsing around. He made work fun for everyone; however he took his work seriously and was a true professional. He was a faithful young man who publically professed his Christian faith to me and others. I have only spoke with him on two occasions since he left for the Border Patrol, but I will never forget him, his kindness, his since of humor, his passion for life and the impact he had on my life. See you soon “Junior”!
Hugo Gonzalez
January 5, 2015
I worked on Steve's truck, but I wasn't his mechanic. I changed the dressings on Steve's back when he had some moles removed, but I wasn't his nurse. We worked for the same department, but I wasn't his co-worker. We lived next to each other, but I wasn't his neighbor. We talked almost every day, but I wasn't his friend. He came to my house for Thanksgiving six years in a row because I wasn't his mechanic, I wasn't his nurse, I wasn't his co-worker, I wasn't his neighbor, and I wasn't his friend...we were FAMILY. When I lost my father in June, he was one of the first persons I called. He had just walked the path I was walking, and his words of comfort meant more to me than I could ever express. I will miss him terribly.
Amy (Hall) Opitz
January 1, 2015
I grew up just a couple of streets away from the Park family. Our mothers were best friends and our brothers played ball together--which meant he got stuck hanging out with me more than I'm sure he would have liked.
We went to school together, attended family gatherings, and we're a part of an "extended family" because of our crazy moms. Steve was blessed with a brilliant wit, huge heart & gentle soul. I am devastated for those he left behind but glad Barb will have Steve to keep her company until we can all meet again!
My deepest heartfelt condolences to Richard, Dave, Renee, the boys, Steve's aunts & uncles. You will all continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
Eileen & Harvey barish
January 1, 2015
Dear Dave and family - it is hard to put into words the sadness I feel at your tremendous loss. We didn't know Steve well but he once did some freelance work for us. Our connection left us with the sense that he was a very special person.
I remember his sense of humor - just like his beloved mother - he had a way of seeing life that was quite funny and definitely quirky. Your mother and I had many conversations about you and Steve - as mothers of sons, it's something we tended to do. And I remember how much she loved her boys.
It must be very hard to accept another death so close to your mother's, especially a brother who was so young and had so much to give to his family. I'm sure was a great uncle who will be missed by Cal and Nate. I grieve for you and wish there was something I could do although I know there is not. As I do with your mother, whom I deeply loved, I will keep memories of Steve close to my heart. His mark in life will not be forgotten.
Please send my deepest sympathy to your father, Renee and Nate and Cal.
With love and kindness, Eileen and Harvey
Beth framjee
January 1, 2015
Didn't know you but knew your Mom who spoke volumes about you. You will be missed by many.
Nick Spence
January 1, 2015
I worked with Steve. I will remember him as a friendly, hard-working guy who could run as fast as the wind. A few years ago, I sent him some Junie B Jones books and asked if his mom would sign them (one for my daughter and one for the school library), and he helped without hesitation. My sympathy goes to his family and friends for the losses they've endured.
Jason Williams
December 31, 2014
I really enjoyed knowing you and it was a pleasure working with you Steve. I was very glad to see you once again when when I saw you in Tucson. You always put a smile on my face with your sense of humor and unique personality. I will miss you a lot, along with the multitude of people who got to know you in Naco and Tucson. Rest in peace brother.
Jennifer Parra
December 31, 2014
Well my dear friend I don't even know where to start. Our last text was a smile followed by a smile. I saw you before going on leave and you had your pleasant smile as always. . . Never did I imagine it was the last time I would see you. Thank you for all our talks, from the happiest to the saddest. I will always cherish your funny but genuine ways that you checked in on my kids and their lives. How we laughed and you made what I thought was the end of the world the next weeks worth of jokes. I think we probably made your last arrest together "hey cuz" and yes we laughed all week about that too. Thank you for the memories Senor Park. I will always keep you close to my heart. Miss you. RIP my friend "JP"
Rachel Gonzales
December 31, 2014
Park thanks for listening to this oddity about a trip to see the Medieval Frescoes from the Vatican Museums displayed in Texas back in 2002. I purchased Da Vinci's, Last Supper as a souvenir while there and will think of you when I see it. Thanks for the talks and laughter throughout the years in our crossing paths. Rest in peace brother.
Edgar Hernandez
December 31, 2014
The greatest combination of speed and strength of class 438. Pleasure to have called you my friend, we'll miss you. God Bless
December 31, 2014
So sorry to hear that Steve died - so young - so very tragic- we had not seen him in quite a while but remember him as a happy sweet guy. Condolences to all who loved him and may he rest in peace.
Lloyd and Susie Robinson
susan bullock
December 31, 2014
Steve brought so much joy to our lives. I will always smile and think of Park when I see a Cecis Pizza. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Patrick Reilly
December 31, 2014
Godspeed, Steve. Words fall utterly short of describing your wit, humor and kind spirit. There's not a story that I could recount about Steve that doesn't put a smile on my face and the face of anyone who ever had the privilege of meeting him. The world is a much poorer place for the lack of Steve in it.
God keep your family and your friends until we can all meet again.
Danielle Easton
December 31, 2014
I am not a very good story teller so I won't relay them, even though I have many fond memories of Steve. I just wanted to say that I will miss him very much, he was an extremely good friend and person, and he always had a way of cheering me up and giving me comfort. May his soul rest in peace. Love you, Steve.
Gene Gutierrez
December 31, 2014
So long my friend. I'm having trouble accepting that I won't see that quirky smile of yours again or share a joke with you about something only the two of know. We've had so many discussions together on so many different topics that I can't imagine not getting to talk to you again or to take you out to listen to an '80's band. Swing shift will not be the same without you and your quiet ironic sense of humor. I'm very lucky to have known you and all of us who knew you....we will miss you!
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