04/05/1952 - 12/12/2021 James Stephen (Steve) Gabbert, Sr., 69, of Sedona, Arizona, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2021 due to complications from pneumonia. Steve was a devoted husband, wonderful father, and doting grandfather. Most of all, Steve was fun personified. Once you met Steve, you became his instant friend. He was always the life of the party with his quick wit and sarcastic nature, coupled with his positive personality. No amount of trauma or bad luck ever dimmed his optimistic attitude. He woke up with a smile and went to bed with the same smile, irrespective of what life threw at him during the day. It was impossible to feel down when you were around Steve. He was the eternal hippie at heart, wearing his hair long just because he could. Born in Whittier, CA, Steve lived most of his life in Redlands, CA, where at the age of 14 he met his future bride and the love of his life, Cathy. They were married 46 wonderful years and were blessed with two children, Rachel and James. Steve worked for All Coast Forest Products for 30 years, excelling as a salesman and retiring in 2011. In 2017, he and Cathy moved permanently to Sedona, a place he loved and in which he felt a very special family connection. Steve is survived by his wife, Catherine Adams Gabbert, of Sedona, daughter Rachel Gabbert Roberts (Garrett) of Lemoore, CA, son James Stephen Gabbert, Jr. (fianc‚e Bailey) of Lynnwood, WA, and grandson Robert Gregory Gabbert of Lynnwood, WA. Besides his immediate family, his loss is deeply felt by his mother-in-law, Darlene J. Adams, of San Diego, CA, sisters-in-law and spouses Adrienne Orfield (Michael) of San Diego, CA, Carol Pharo (Stephen) of Vancouver, WA, Lisa McIntire (Scott) of La Verne, CA, Patty Mercier (Dave) of Redlands, CA, and nieces Melissa McIntire Fukushima (David), Candace McIntire, Sarah Orfield, Rebecca Orfield Gilmore (Kayden), Hilary Braxton, and April Pharo, and nephew Vince Pharo. He was predeceased by his father Carlton Gabbert, his mother Mollie Gabbert, sisters Karen and Rebecca Gabbert, and his father-in-law Col. Vincent O. Adams, Jr. Due to COVID, there will be no services. Westcott Funeral Home 1013 East Mingus Ave Cottonwood, AZ 86326

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Published by Redlands Daily Facts on Dec. 26, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Stephen Gabbert

Sponsored by Westcott Funeral Home - Cottonwood.

13 Entries

Rachel Roberts

December 27, 2023

Rachel Roberts

December 27, 2023

Rachel Roberts

December 27, 2023

It´s been 2 years since you left us and we are all doing our best without you. I know you are watching over us. I keep your memory alive through sharing our countless memories. I try to remember to be a patient patient and keep a positive mindset when I am struggling. I feel your spirit and love constantly. I´m at a loss of what else to say other than I love you and thank you for being the best dad in a world.

Rachel Gabbert Roberts

December 13, 2022

Watch over our family. I love you dad. You are missed every single day.

Rachel Roberts

December 13, 2022

Yesterday marked 1 year since God called you home. To say you are missed doesn’t even begin to cover the loss. You were a bright light in our family. The foundation for all of us. We are all trying to figure out life without you. I’d like to say we are doing good. We are doing our best. What I wouldn’t give for one more hug and conversation. I miss you so much. I love you dad.

Bill Hancock

April 17, 2022

Visiting with an old friend from Lake Arrowhead, and Steve's name came up regarding a visit we made back in 1961 or so. Good times. Steve was one of my first friends when we moved to Rancho Mirage. We moved and time went on. Steve and whereabouts were always in mind on desert trips. Steve was a good, patient friend 60 plus years ago, and the older kid I wanted to be like. My thoughts are with his family.

Mark Eichenberg

December 28, 2021

A fine human being. Steve Gabbert was a friend and coworker to me & he always made me smile. Sarcasm was our common bond and we could go back and forth for hours. Loved him very much.
My sympathy to Cathy and the kids.
Mark Eichenberg

Patti RansomRanso

December 28, 2021

I loved your Dad so much he was larger than life so many good times and good memories. When I think about him I will always smile❤❤❤

Rachel Gabbert Roberts

December 28, 2021

Rachel Gabbert Roberts

December 28, 2021

Rachel Gabbert Roberts

December 28, 2021

Rachel Gabbert Roberts

December 28, 2021

I never questioned your love, it was a constant in my life. Growing up you always supported me and encouraged me to reach for my goals. When I was sad or scared you wiped away my tears and told me everything was going to be ok. You showed me the good in the world and how a positive attitude truly is the best medicine. How a good joke and whole lot of sarcasm can really make any situation manageable. You had many medical issues over the years but you always pulled through with a smile on your face and a few good laughs to lighten up the mood. I follow your example and see the good in the world, laugh at every opportunity and love with all my heart. You were the foundation of our family. The life of the party. My dad. You left us unexpectedly, but I know God called you home. Keep watch over our family and know that you will be missed more than imaginable. I love you dad. One love ❤-your little crow

Rachel Gabbert Roberts

December 26, 2021

I´ve sat here all day figuring out what to say about my dad. Over the years my dad and I had so many great memories that it´s hard to just pick a few. We would spend hours joking and talking about life. He had multiple medical issues over the years but he always pulled through and did it with a smile on his face. He always saw the good in the world. He was the life of the party. If I ever had a question he was the first person I would call and he always had the answer, along with a new story I had never heard before. I swear I could listen to him talk for hours. He was larger than life. He was the foundation of our family. He will be missed dearly. The only way I know to keep his memory alive is to share his stories and to never stop sharing them. I feel lost right now but I know he is always with me because he will forever hold a special place in my heart. I love you dad.

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