Stephen Stroud

Stephen Craig Stroud, known by friends and family as Steve, age 65, of Springfield, Missouri passed into the Lord's presence on Thursday, November 12, 2009 at Cox South Hospital.

Steve was born on March 6, 1944 in Dallas, Texas to Kenneth and Jeanne Stroud. His younger brother, Mark came along 9 years later. Steve spent his first 8 years in Texas and then moved to California at the age of 9. At the age of 16, entering his senior year of high school, his family moved from Los Angeles to San Diego. Steve placed his faith in Christ for his salvation that same year. After high school graduation, he attended just over 2 years of college in the San Diego area. During college he began his long career in shoe sales, and was acknowledged for his exemplary ability in sales both locally and nationally within his company.

Steve met Lynn Meskimen at the age of 22 while attending College Avenue Baptist Church in San Diego. They were married on March 21, 1969 and celebrated their 40th anniversary this year.

God blessed Steve and Lynn with two children. Jeremy Craig was born on May 17, 1973 and Bethany Lael was born on January 25, 1975.

Steve held various jobs after leaving the shoe industry and lived in several states short term before his family eventually made the move across country to Springfield, Missouri in 1986. He worked for Midwest Window and Door for 19 years before retiring for disability reasons in 2006.

Steve and Lynn attended High Street Baptist Church in Springfield, where Steve taught Sunday School for 14 years to 4th grade boys. Many of those boys are married today with children of their own and fondly remember him for his creativity in encouraging them to memorize the Word of God. He often would make handmade wooden toys as rewards for their accomplishments. He also served his church as an usher and sang in the men's choir for special events.

Steve's fondest hobby was woodworking and he also enjoyed model airplanes, reading, restoring their 1923 home and he was an avid road cyclist. Steve loved talking with people and never met a stranger. He was an avid story teller and always remembered the details. Steve spent his last years battling a rare form of dementia, called Pick's Disease but through it all, his love for his Lord and his family remained strong. He was known in the nursing home where he lived for sharing missionary stories and words from Scripture with those who needed the encouragement and was always ready to help where he could, even volunteering with the grounds crew and helping to escort other patients to and from meals each day. Steve had a servant's heart and was always one to lend a hand or the shirt off his back.

We are blessed to know that he is whole again in mind, body and spirit and is spending eternity worshipping his beloved Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Memorial Service at High Street Baptist Church November 19, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.

Officiated by Pastor Eddie Lyons

Special Music by Teri Roy and Joel Potter

Steve is survived by: his wife, Lynn, son, Jeremy and his wife Shannon and daughter, Bethany and her husband Joel Potter; grandsons, McGwire, Kael, Jack and Owen soon to be born granddaughter, Kate; precious mother, Jeanne; brother ,Mark; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is predeceased by his older, infant brother, Andy, 1943; his father, Ken, 1989.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to

New Tribes Mission�Kora tribal team/Papua, Indonesia 1000 E. First St./Sanford, FL 32771

High Street Baptist Church�library fund 900 N. Eastgate Rd./Springfield, MO 65802