Steven Ray "Steve" Light

Steven "Steve" Ray Light Old veterans never die, they just ride off into the sunset on their Harleys. On October 5, 2012, Steve Light of Blue Lake, California took his final ride into the sunset. After fighting a courageous battle, Steve succumbed to Mesothelioma Cancer of the Lung which he contracted while proudly serving our county during the Vietnam War. Born in Inglewood, California on March 30, 1947, he grew up in nearby Hawthorne and graduated from Leuzinger High School- Class of 1965. From 1965 to 1969, Steve served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Oriskany. Steve moved to Humboldt County in the 1970's where he worked and retired from the Simpson Timber Company in Korbel after 32 years. He also served eleven years as a volunteer firefighter for the Blue Lake Volunteer Fire Department. Steve will be remembered most for his love of family and friends, his exceptional sense of humor and his great practical jokes, some of which are legendary. He will also be remembered for his long term "love affair" with his Harley Davidson. He leaves behind his loving and devoted wife Laurie (Applewhite) of 23 years, his daughter Melinda (Ryan James) of Redding, Ca and son Nathan of Blue Lake, Ca. He also leaves behind two sons by a previous marriage, Jesse of Nixa, Mo and Matthew of Arcata, Ca. Steve was grandfather to Tobin of Missouri and Trevin of Redding, Ca. Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Alpha Mae (Williams) Light and Paul Light; sister Bonnie (Light) Love and fraternal twin brother, David Light. He is also survived by and will be greatly missed by his Uncle Jim and Aunt Joanne Williams of Camarillo, CA; his niece Julie (Love) Kelly (husband Scott and son Matthew) of Kansas City, Ks; as well as niece, Lisa Love; nephew, Jarod Love; and many cousins. He also leaves behind Navy buddy and dear friend, Jim Gray (Caroline Richter) of Greenville, Texas and Navy buddy Bill Patti (Carolyn) of Florida, who he recently reconnected with. Steve also leaves behind many good friends, including Tom and Shari DeVore of Redding, Ca; Steve Rapp of Lake Isabella, CA; James Maynard of McKinleyville, Ca and Sid Madjarak of McKinleyville, Ca. The family as well as Steve would like to thank Dr. Cynthia So, San Francisco VA Hospital; Dr. Petra Khufahl, Eureka VA Clinic; Patricia Fitzgerald, VA Nurse Practitioner; the Veteran's Home Based Primary Care Program Team and the Hospice of Humboldt Team for their extra care and support during the many home visits and frequent phone calls. The immediate family would also like to thank all of our wonderful friends for their constant thoughts, love and support through the last 9 months. And Julie, thank you for such a beautiful obituary, your uncle is proud! In accordance with Steve's wishes there will be no services. A private family service will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider donations in Steve's memory to: Hospice of Humboldt 2010 Myrtle Avenue, Eureka, Ca 95501 or Blue Lake Volunteer Fire Department P.O. Box 245, Blue Lake, CA 95525. Steve was taken from us too soon and will be dearly missed. As Steven would say, "Toodle-oo"... Please sign the guest book at www.Times-Standard.com, click obits.