Steven C. Garris

     Steven Clark Garris, 70, died on Sunday, August 18, 2022 in Zanesville, Ohio. He was in the late stages of Alzheimer’s but passed from a massive heart attack. Steve was born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio to the late Noah and Ruth Clark Garris on November 15, 1951. Steve graduated from Fort Frye High School in Beverly, Ohio in 1970. He received his undergrad degree in Mathematics at Bowling Green State University. Steve continued his studies at Ashland University where he obtained his MBA. He went on to become and Educator at Tiffin City Schools and South Central in Greenwich, Ohio. Steve was a school treasurer for many years for Berlin-Milan and Federal Hocking School Districts. He was a world traveler having lived in Kano, Nigeria and Vienna, Austria. He loved traveling preferring the warmer climates of the Caribbean Islands, Mexico and Central America. Steve loved boats, from kayaking on many rivers, boating on Lake Erie and the Muskingum River, to hopping aboard a cruise ship for a week or more. Steve was a lifelong musician, playing the guitar and singing from the age of 9. He played in several bands, filled in when needed for the gospel group The Lordsmen, and for several years was widely known as the Jambo Rooster at Jamboree in the Hills but his favorite thing to do was playing with or for his family and friends. Steve was a 32 year member of AA or as he called it “The Secret Society of the Loyal Order of the Camel”. His favorite phrases that he told people in meetings were, Keep Coming Back and Wait for Your Miracle. He always felt that his sobriety was a gift. He was a loyal Cleveland Browns fan, and enjoyed watching the Cavaliers when LeBron played for them. He hated to miss a game of either team and it didn’t happen often. Steve is survived by his beloved partner of 20 years, Carol Valentine Hook; Steve was the proud father of Carolyn (Jordan) Raney and Clark (Tiffany) Steven Garris; His friend and mother of his children, Nancy Sudsina Garris; He treasured his grandchildren, Daniel, Catherine Gwendolyn, Hannah, Lillian, Faith, soon to arrive, John Raney and Dakota and Dixon Garris. two sisters, Dianne Combs (Rick) and Cathy Davis (Gordon); His bonus children, Hayley (John) Patterson, Kate (Clay) Whaley, Isaac (Cassie) and Andrew Hook; he was the world’s greatest Poppy to Emma (Cameron) Westfall, Braxtyn and Jaxon Whaley and great grandchild Sophia Westfall. He left behind a multitude of friends and family, his part time caregivers and bonus family, Jamie and Jasper Nicewanger, his Angel helpers, Eric and Renee Lambert, Jeff and Julie Hurlow and John Foreman. He was preceded in death by his parents; baby daughter, Sabra Lynn and his favorite lady, Margaret Valentine. The most often heard words describing Steve have been, amazing, selfless, smart…really smart, quirky but cool, generous, always ready to listen, everyone’s brother, loyal friend, ornery, kind and sweet. In some ways for the people he loved, it was a long goodbye; but in other ways, it was the blink of an eye. We are all a little better for having known Steve Garris.

     McCurdy Funeral Home in Beverly is in charge of the arrangements. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday September 17,  2022 at the Malta United Methodist Church at 390 S. Main St. Malta, Ohio 43758, beginning at noon. There will be a celebration, music and a buffet lunch. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.mccurdyfh.com.

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