Stephen P. Light

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Stephen Pierce Light, 84, of Dunkirk, MD on February 4, 2025 in Annapolis, MD. Born August 16, 1940 in Gallagher, WV, he was the son of the late Thurel and Lorene Light.
Steve was raised in his treasured community of Paint Creek, WV and graduated from Charleston High School, Charleston, WV in 1952. He graduated from West Virginia Institute of Technology in Montgomery, WV with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1963. While there he was a member of the Beta Kappa Chi Fraternity.
Steve moved to Washington, District of Columbia after graduation where he began his career with the United States Coast Guard Naval Engineering Department focusing on the design of the Hamilton and Reliance-Class cutters. After three years, he transferred to the Department of the Navy and became a graduate of the Department of Defense Program Management College. He also earned a Master of Science degree in Systems Management in 1977 from the University of Southern California. From 1970 to 1973 he served as the Integrated Logistics Manager for the newly guided missile frigate Oliver Hazard Perry. From 1974 until 2005 he had oversight of the design, construction, and life cycle management of the Navy's surface ship programs. He won many awards during his career including the Award for Excellence by the Society of Logistics Engineers, American Society of Naval Engineers President's Award, and the Naval Sea Systems Command Medallion. He also received the supreme honor of being awarded the Department of Navy Meritorious Civilian Service for exceptional contributions to the Program Executive Office and President Al Gore's Hammer Award for reinventing government with a savings of over $1 billion dollars for an initiative to privatize logistics support. He retired from the Navy on July 17, 2005. Following retirement from the Navy, Steve worked for Alion Science and Technology for five years supporting Navy Ship Programs including the LPD-17.
Steve had many hobbies including skirmishing with the North- South Skirmishing Association. Steve was a member of the Washington Blue Rifles. It was there he made many friends whom he considered family. It gave Steve great joy to share his love of skirmishing with his son Jeffrey who joined the Blues in 1986. In 2018, he received a medal for 50 years of membership and on May 20, 2002, Steve was presented with the Award of Merit in appreciation for his outstanding service to the N-SSA. He served on the Board of Directors from1979-1986, as National Deputy Commander from 1985-1986, and as a member of the Property Management Committee for fifteen years. He also was a member of many other committees including the Long-Range Growth, Skirmish Line, Team and Individual Match Medal and Distinguished Shooter Award. He authored more than a dozen articles for the magazine "Skirmish Line."
Another hobby of Steve's was genealogy. He was a member of the Prince Georges and Kanawha Valley Genealogical Society. He spent 50 years researching courthouse records in many states to put together a book titled "History and Genealogy of the Light Family in America Descendants of Johannes Leicht 1593-1669 Bernsfeld, Germany." The book gives detailed information on twelve generations of the Light Family and can be found in the Library of Congress. Steve considered his genealogy partners dear friends and recognized his work would not be possible without their collaboration. Steve also instilled a sense of pride in West Virginia, family, and genealogy in his family as he would often take his children and grandchildren to West Virginia to visit family, clean out ancestral gravesites and to other historical sites in West Virginia.
Steve and Betty were married for close to thirty years. They loved to travel and went on an annual trip with friends to Cancun. They also went on cruises to Bermuda and the Caribbean and took weekend trips locally. One year they ventured overseas to Ireland. They also were proud parents to numerous cats throughout the years including Steve's favorite, Maddie.
In his later years, Steve loved spending time with his grandsons. He never missed an important event in their lives. As Steve loved history, he took the boys on field trips to historical sites such as the US Capital, Fort McHenry and Gettysburg. He also did fun trips with them such as taking them every summer to King's Dominion, National's games, fishing on the Chesapeake Bay and other outdoor activities. Steve also was a special uncle to Cassandra and Stephen Hamrick.
Steve leaves behind a loving family who will forever hold his memory close. Steve is survived by his wife, Betty J., his daughter, Jodie L. Barnett and husband Chad W. of Front Royal, VA, son Jeffrey S. Light of Hedgesville, WV, grandsons Benjamin D., Bryson P., and Landon H. Barnett of Front Royal, niece Cassandra T. Hamrick of Elkton, MD and nephew and Stephen B. Hamrick of Street, MD. He was predeceased by his sister Anna Mae Hamrick and brother-in-law Everett B. Hamrick.
A graveside ceremony will be held in Montgomery, WV on March 14, 2025. Although Steve left West Virginia many years ago, he considered it his home. He will be laid to rest beside his parents and other family members.
A Celebration of Life to honor Steve will be held at the Shenandoah Lodge in Lake Frederck, Va on Sunday April 27, 2025 at 2:30 pm. Join us as we celebrate the remarkable life that Steve lived.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association in honor of the compassionate care provided to Steve during his last year.