Mr. Stephen Charles Luce

1956-2013 Stephen Charles Luce peacefully returned to his Father in Heaven on June 3, 2013 surrounded by his family members and the loving staff members of the Haywood ARC Woodlawn home. His passing came after dealing with Alzheimer's disease for nearly three years. Stephen, a person with Down's syndrome, was born on January 15, 1956 in the U.S. Army's 97th General Hospital in Frankfurt, Germany. He is survived by his parents, Dot and Chuck Luce of Waynesville, his sister Beth McKinney and husband Al of West Melbourne, FL, brother Bill Luce and wife Mary of Gilbert, SC, sister Cindy Bellamy of Cassatt, SC, and brother David and wife Lisa of Lugoff, SC. Steve was the proud uncle of Leah, Johnathan, Cameron, Kristina, Brooke, Amanda, Ally and step-uncle of Michelle and Nichole. Three aunts also survive Steve, Leda Fide (LeRoy) of Apache Junction, AZ, Dorothy Hoos of Big Flats, NY, and Roberta Luce of Detroit, MI. During his twenty six years in Columbia, SC, Steve participated in the many activities available at Babcock Center in Columbia and in the annual Special Olympics competition. He was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and assisted in the Youth Ministry there. Everyone who knew Steve quickly discovered that he was a great "Gamecock" fan, supporting the University of South Carolina teams in all sports. Since moving with his parents to Haywood County, NC, in 1997, Steve was employed at Haywood Vocational Opportunities while living in the ARC of Haywood County Homes. He looked forward each day to "going to work" and to receiving his paycheck. A dedicated participant in the Haywood County Special Olympics, he won numerous medals over the years. His room at his ARC Woodlawn Circle home in Clyde reflected his continuing love of the "Gamecocks" and the Special Olympics. As an active member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Parish in Waynesville and Canton, Steve served God for many years as an usher and in bringing up the gifts during Mass. He used his God-given gift of love to spread happiness wherever he went. He was a Charter Member of the Knights of Columbus Council 15085 sponsored by the Church. For a number of years Steve was a participating member of the National Apostolate for Inclusion Ministry (NAfIM), a national organization dedicated to the inclusion of all persons with intellectual developmental disabilities (IDD) into the Church. He attended numerous national conferences and developed a wide circle of friends across the country. The family will greet friends at Garrett Funerals and Cremations from 6PM until 8PM on Wednesday, June 5, 2013. Fr. Larry LoMonaco will celebrate a Memorial Mass for Steve at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 234 Church St., Waynesville, at 11AM on Thursday, June 6, 2013. All interested persons are invited to attend and celebrate Steve's life. Interment will be at a later date at Greenlawn Cemetery in Columbia, SC. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the ARC of Haywood County, 407 Welch Street, Waynesville, NC, 28786 or to Haywood County Special Olympics at 238 Equestrian Way, Waynesville, NC 28786. Garrett Funerals and Cremations is assisting the family with arrangements. www.garrettfuneralsandcremations.com