Gary Steffen

Gary Steffen, age 84, passed away peacefully at home on February 18, 2026,

surrounded by the family. Though his hands are now at rest, the life he built, the love he

gave, and the family he shaped will carry his strength forward forever.

Gary was born on June 5, 1941, in Covington, Kentucky, the beloved son of Virginia and

Charlie Huff. From an early age, he learned the value of hard work and the importance

of doing things the right way. Those lessons became the foundation of the man he

would become a man of quiet strength, steady presence, and unwavering love.

Gary was a carpenter by trade, but to those who knew him, he was so much more. He

was a builder in every sense of the word. He built his family home. He built race cars.

But most importantly, he built a family. He built a life where his children, grandchildren,

and great-grandchildren always knew they were safe, protected, and loved.

His hands told the story of his life. They were strong hands, worn from years of honest

work. Hands that fixed things when they broke. Hands that helped without being asked.

Hands that showed his love not through words, but through action.

Gary had a passion for racing that lit something deep inside him. At the track,

surrounded by the roar of the engines, he wasn't just watching, he was living in a way

that only those who truly love something can understand. That passion was part of his

spirit, determination, fearlessness, and full of heart.

But nothing in his life meant more to him than Barbara, his beloved wife of 64 years.

She was his partner, his best friend, and the love of his life. Together, they built a

lifetime of memories, standing side by side through every joy and every hardship. Now,

they are together again.

Gary was a proud and loving father to Denise Steffen, Ron Steffen (Colleena), and

Debra Krallman (Mike). He was a grandfather to Danny, Christine, Jackie, Tony, Steffen,

Eric, Mikey, Marshall, Mac, and Emma, and a great-grandfather to 14 great-

grandchildren. Each of them carries a piece of him within them, his strength, his

kindness, his resilience.

He was preceded in death by his siblings Sandy Parton (Steffen) and James Haire and

is survived by his brother Mike Steffen.

Gary was the kind of man who didn't need to say "I love you" every day for you to feel it.

You felt it in his presence. You felt it in his sacrifice. You felt it in the life he gave to his

family.

And that is the hardest part of saying goodbye.

And the hands that built so much are no longer here to guide us.

But what he built will never be lost.

And his story will live on every time his name is spoken, every time his lessons are

remembered, and every time his family stands together.

A service to celebrate Gary's life will be held at Oak Ridge Baptist Church, 6056 Taylor

Mill Road, Covington, Kentucky, on February 26, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. In

lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Oak Ridge Baptist Church.

Gary may be gone from our hands…

But he will never be gone from our hearts.

Don Catchen Family Funeral Home is assisting the family.