Stevens P. "Steve" Forest

Stevens "Steve" P. Forest, age 69, of Dryden, Texas, lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 in a local nursing home in Del Rio.
Preceding him in death were his parents, R. Stevens Forest and Vennie Massey Forest; and grandson, Trenton Friederich.
Family members left to cherish his memory include daughters: Ashly Friederich of Hunt, Texas, and Haley Lehrmann and husband BB Lehrmann, also of Hunt; grandson, Tyler Hargis and wife Abigail of Dryden, Texas; granddaughter, Maci Lehrmann; his twin sisters, Diane Cowden and Jan Forest, both of Del Rio; and niece Kelsa Cowden of Del Rio; Steve is also survived by other close relatives and many friends.
A memorial honoring Steve Forest is scheduled for Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 2 p.m. in the Trinity Chapel of Faith. All are welcome to attend.
Steve was born on March 1, 1956 in Fredericksburg, Texas. He graduated from Tivy High School in Kerrville in 1974. He attended Schreiner College, but decided a further college education was not for him and went into business for himself. Harry Tobey took him under his wing to teach him livestock trading. However, he was more interested in the newly emerging exotic game business. He was one of the first in the Kerrville area to get involved. He earned the nickname around town as "Crocodile Dundee." He always had some "strange" animal in his trailer. He first operated under
Forest Exotics until moving to Dryden when he became Stevens Forest Ranch. He worked very hard many hours a day, 7 days a week learning the trade and building his business. After 50 years in the business he probably knew more than anyone around. He was selected as a member of the Hall of Fame Award, Exotic Wildlife Association in 2008. He was on the Board of Directors of the Exotic Wildlife Association 1985-2013. He had been a member since 1980. He also was on the Board of Directors of the Ranchers and Land Owner's Association from 2004-2012. He also participated in the Second Ark Foundation, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Uvalde 2012 to 2013 (Dama Gazelle Radio Collar Study). He presented continuing educations seminars at Sul Ross University and Texas A&M University. He has been recognized with many other awards too numerous to list. In addition to his many accomplishments, he also spoke fluent Spanish.
In his younger years Steve enjoyed playing pool winning several tournaments. In high school he was in FFA and tried rodeoing. He quit the rodeoing because it was embarrassing for your mother to be yelling "get him off, get him off" before they opened the chute. He always enjoyed reading, fishing and hunting. Steve was a published author of several short stories. He always enjoyed a good story and had lots of them to tell. Steve became a helicopter pilot to assist him in running his business and also to help others. He greatly enjoyed his blue Robinson R44.
Steve was passionate about being involved in his community and beyond throughout his life from providing teddy bears to comfort the children involved when law enforcement were called to a scene, providing coats to poor children in Mexico, taking beans, rice and clothing to the unfortunate in Mexico, assisting law enforcement, helping friends in need and his great passion - the kids in 4H/FFA.
Steve was "one of a kind" and had many friends from all walks of life. He lived his life everyday giving 110%. People are supposed to "rest in heaven", but Steve is probably up at 5 a.m. working.