Steven Craig Hamer

Steven Craig Hamer passed away on July 24, 2025. Born in Stockton on December 20, 1961, to Bob and Dola Hamer, he was an alumnus of St. Mary's High School, where he lettered in track and field. After graduation in 1980, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, Security Forces, and set off to see the world. Initially stationed in Mather Air Base in Sacramento, he subsequently spent 18 of his 20-year career overseas. His service locations included Hawaii, Turkey, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and Italy. His journeys blessed him with many lifelong friends from among his fellow service members. Steve was a proud defender of freedom in Operation Desert Storm, the Kosovo Campaign and the Cold War. He personally witnessed the fall of The Berlin Wall while stationed in Germany in 1989 - a defining moment in his service career. He retired from service in 2000 having attained the rank of Technical Sergeant.

Steve returned to Stockton and completed his bachelor's degree (History) and Master's of Public Administration at CSU Stanislaus. He then worked at University of the Pacific, serving veterans and non-traditional students as an Admissions Recruiter.

After all his adventures abroad, he always maintained that his life didn't truly start until he met the love of his life, Lucy, and her daughter, Zofia, in 2005. Steve and Lucy married on August 20, 2006. Steve was exceedingly proud of his stepdaughter, always referring to her as "my girl." Some years later, the trio became a family of four when they adopted their beloved dog, Pal.

After retiring in 2023, Steve thoroughly enjoyed many hobbies, including collecting model trains, fly fishing, home brewing, and bicycling. Steve was always motivated by the pursuit of excellence, whether it be in his professional career or his hobbies. Whatever he set out to do was meticulously researched and practiced - and always perfectly executed.

He was admired for his humor, cooking skills, and incomparable ability to chat with anyone at any time or any place. To him there were no strangers, only friends waiting to be found.

Above all, family and friends will miss his wonderful sense of humor, amazing stories (both of adventure and folly), generous personality and strength of character.

Steve is survived by his wife, Lucy Hamer, daughter and son-in-law Zofia and Justin Heyn; brother and sister-in-law Michael and Hilda Hamer, niece and nephew Caitlin and Christopher Hamer; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.