John Steagall

John Steagall, 75, of Beaufort, NC, passed away on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, NC. John was born in Carlsbad, TX and lived the majority of his life in Northeastern Ohio where he raised his daughters Erin and Kelly with his wife Gail, and he and Gail moved to Beaufort, NC in 2017. He was a proud Veteran of the US Navy serving during the Vietnam War as an electrician, with several years in the Reserves following active duty. He spent the majority of his civilian career as an "engineer by trade" in the steel industry designing and selling steel coil annealing products in Cleveland, OH. He was an avid fisherman spending countless hours on Lake Erie with occasional deep sea fishing excursions, a gun enthusiast, a PADI SCUBA Divemaster with hundreds of hours logged, a jack of all trades, a dirty martini drinker, and the life of every party. He never heard a joke he couldn't retell a hundred times and he laughed harder each time he told it. He was a loyal husband, a proud Father and even prouder Grandfather; John was a friend to everyone he met. Most recently, he thoroughly enjoyed driving for Uber and Lyft leaving him with endless stories about his passengers – every customer became a friend to him. He was a big man with a big heart and an even bigger personality. His energy and presence was unmatched. He leaves behind a legacy of love, loyalty, friendship, and a zest for life. He will be dearly missed and leaves a void that will be impossible to fill.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Gail of Beaufort, NC; daughter, Kelly (Thad) Linden of Avon, OH; daughter, Erin (Dennis) West and of Beaufort, NC; four granddaughters: Grace, Caroline, Meredith, and Abigail; sister, Beatrice Coder of El Paso, TX; brother, Benny Steagall of El Paso, TX; sister, Debra Briggs of Pittsburg, TX, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and loved ones. He is preceded in death by his parents, Vernon "Slim" and Josephine Steagall.
A Catholic Mass will be held at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish at 2640 Stoney Ridge Rd, Avon, OH 44011 at 10:00 am on March 22, 2025, immediately followed by a luncheon at Tom's Country Place, 3442 Stoney Ridge Rd, Avon, OH 44011. A Celebration of Life will be held at the West Cabana in July in Beaufort, NC (details to follow), and John will be buried at sea by the US Navy. The family requests that attendees to these events wear colorful and cheerful Hawaiian/tropical attire.
Arrangements have been made by Noe Funeral Service, Inc. of Beaufort, NC and Misencik Funeral Home of Avon, OH. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in John's name to the Gary Sinise Foundation at www.garysinisefoundation.org or Alzheimer's Foundation of America at www.alzfdn.org