Stephen Firebaugh

1921 - 2021

Stephen Firebaugh, born April 12, 1921, died January 14, 2021, just 3 months shy of his 100th birthday.

Life started for Steve in Reedley, CA born to Joseph and Angela Firebaugh. When he was 2 his family relocated to the Santa Cruz County where he attended both public and private schools, graduating from Chaminade High School in 1939.

Steve worked for Consolidated Aircraft in San Diego and North American Aviation in the Los Angeles area until he joined the Navy in June of 1942. He earned 5 battle stars serving in the Pacific Arena and the Philippines during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1945. Soon after, Steve went to work for what was then known as PAC Bell in 1947 but as fate would have it, was recalled back to service in 1950 for the Korean War where he served on board the USS Dextrous, a minesweeper at Woo Son. Steve returned back to Pac Bell in late 1952, where he would finish his career in 1978 as a construction manager.

Steve was an avid baseball enthusiast having coached both Little and Pony leagues. Steve was also involved in organizing the Watsonville Aggies Baseball Team in 1969, as well as being its first manager.

Steve was very involved in the local Green Valley 4-H club where Old George Silliman once said it wasn't fair to the other kids when Steve picked out a steer to show at Santa Cruz County Fair, having picked two champion and one reserve champion cows three years in a row.

Steve married the love of his life, Odette Peckham, in 1948. They were married for 55 years until her passing in 2003. They belonged to Thousand Trails RV Club and traveled much of the Western U.S. during their early retirement years. During his retirement years one of Steve's main hobbies was throwing horseshoes and was still hard to beat well into his 80s.

Steve and Odette raised 3 sons, Mark (Mary), Robert (Leinalla), Thomas (Tiffany), in Watsonville on Carlton Road, also called Firebaugh's Corner, and well known for the insanely sharp turn causing many accidents in which Steve helped clean up over the years. Steve eventually moved to Middletown, CT, with his son Tom in 2005. He is survived by his two sons Robert and Thomas; he also leaves behind 5 grandchildren, Travis, Darcy, Michelle, Justin and Ilaria. His death was preceded by his wife Odette and son Mark.

Steve died of natural causes and was a class act up to his last breath. He was one of the toughest and equally nicest guys you could ever know. It will be a comfort knowing he will be back together with his Dearest Odette and the rest of an increasingly growing family in heaven. A private service will be held in Watsonville, CA at a later date.