Pazur, Steve T. Jr. of St. Louis, Missouri, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Sunday, December 23, 2018 at the age of 67 following a courageous battle with cancer. While he would have preferred to have had an ice cold Budweiser in one hand and a Lucky Strike in the other, he lost that battle, too.
Steve was born on May 19, 1951 and raised in Soulard. He was the elder son of Stephen Thomas Pazur (his namesake) and Geneva (nee Pigg) Pazur, and the blended family siblings remained close throughout Steve’s lifetime. As a young child, he helped make ends meet by working at Soulard Market and shared stories of the unsaleable food that was sent home with him in lieu of wage tender. His parents were both taken much too soon from this earth, and Steve always thought he was on borrowed time once he reached the age of 56.
His father started S. Pazur Roofing Co. in the backyard of their property, and Steve took over managing the company in the seventies. No man had a better work ethic, the most significant trait he passed along to his four children. (He was quick to point out anyone and everyone that exhibited less effort or what he would otherwise describe as “lazy.”) He often teased about there being no other profession that worked closer to God, including religious personnel. He had a bronze glow to him most of the year, sun-kissed from his long days outside. He boasted he could call the weather reports better than the weather people he watched religiously on all the main television stations.
Steve’s extensive vocabulary was highly proficient in use of four-letter curse words, and he was popular among his children’s friends given that tongue. He was known for his lack of patience, not holding back his opinion and he had a knack for telling it like it is. He despised anyone that answered him with the word, “What?” and worked tirelessly to instill that in his children.
He took fashion advice from no one. Steve ultimately preferred flannel shirts and well-worn blue jeans, with full body long johns often underneath. His comfort far outweighed any interest in the latest fashion trends. He loved to prepare potted meals – stew, beans, and chili – in addition to Mexican tostadas. There wasn’t a tool to be found that hadn’t already been bought for Steve’s woodshop menagerie, but beware the man that borrows a 20 year old tool that breaks while on borrowed time!
Steve could occasionally be observed enjoying the company of the family dogs. Shana, Trixie, Rugar, and Peanut were the most prominent in a long line of dogs that shared his wife’s affection.
Steve is survived by his wife of 43 years, Judy (Westermayer) Pazur, who is now left with the burden of selling a lifetime of accumulation in their Shrewsbury home as she picks back up the effort of downsizing into a home with a fully remodeled kitchen (one of her life’s dreams).
He will be profoundly missed by his beloved children Geneen (Troy) Von Kloha, Steven T. Pazur III (Christina) and Thatcher J. Pazur; and grandchildren Andrew, Elijah, Xavier, Gylian, Georgiana, Genevieve, Aryia and Truman who all made their grandfather’s life better (and more interesting) with their visits. Steve was preceded in death by his youngest son, Zachary, with whom he has been reunited after eleven long years. He is survived by his sister Carol (Bob) Guttmann and brother Dale Barron, and preceded in death by his brother, Dennis Pazur. He will be fondly remembered by many cousins, brother- and sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors, and especially his extended family in Phoenix.
Steve will be remembered best for his sense of humor, love of the St. Louis Cardinals, anything cowboy themed (especially old Western movies) and classic cars (corvettes, in particular). Visitation will be held at Kutis Affton Chapel, 10151 Gravois 63123 on Friday, December 28th, 4-8 p.m. Service will be at 9 a.m. at Kutis on Saturday, December 29th. Interment Concordia Cemetery.
Everyone who remembers him is asked to celebrate Steve’s life in their own way. Raising a glass of their favorite drink in his memory would be quite appropriate. Instead of flowers, Steve would hope that you will do an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness for some poor unfortunate soul in his name. Memorial contributions to NAMI St. Louis 1810 Craig Road, Ste. 124, 63146 to benefit the Ending the Silence program would be sincerely appreciated.
The family would also like to thank VITAS Hospice for the great care that was taken with Steve granting him an additional year to bless our family with his presence.
