Jon Stephen Overbaugh

1944 - 2024

Jon Stephen Overbaugh
04/03/1944 - 09/25/2024
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jon Stephen Overbaugh, who left us on September 25, 2024, at the age of 80. He was born on April 3, 1944, in San Francisco, California, the second son of H. Clinton Overbaugh and Audrey Alberta Overbaugh. Although born and raised in San Francisco, he longed for the wild outdoors and warm weather. He attended San Francisco public schools and was a 1961 graduate of Lincoln High, a proud Mustang.
In June 1965 Steve, as he was called since the first grade, was drafted into the U.S Army, serving 2 years of active duty. After receiving an honorable discharge for his service, Steve moved back to San Francisco, where he began his career as a machinist with the Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard. In 1973, Steve moved his young family to the Canal Zone, now part of Panama, where he was a supervisor and machinist at the Panama Canal Co. His family has fond memories of the time in a labor strike when he painted "gutless sheep" on the Miraflores lock smokestack, which he later painted back over as not to risk someone getting hurt.
After making his way back to the states, he met and married Cynthia Lowe, and they settled in Tuolumne County. He worked for Hetch Hetchy Water and Power as the powerhouse machinist for 22 years, retiring in 1999, living in Sonora.
He had a passion for nature and the outdoors, spending time hiking and backpacking whenever he could. He had fond memories of Jeeping with his beloved dog Sadie. He was an avid reader, always eager to learn. Known as a mechanical genius, there was nothing he couldn't fix-earning him the nickname "MacGyver" among those who knew him best. He also had a strong love for travel, and proudly boasted about visiting 49 states, with plans to make Alaska his 50th.
He will be deeply missed by his wife, Cynthia Lowe Overbaugh and devoted children, Jill and Keith Overbaugh, and his three grandchildren, Samantha Fraser, Ashton Overbaugh, and Madison Overbaugh, and cousins Elaine Campton, Valerie Campton and David Gherardi.
A private sea scattering occurred in the San Francisco Bay followed by a private memorial service for family and close friends on November 3, 2024.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Steve Overbaugh's memory to The Sierra Club.