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Stephen Ray Hein © Fairview Funeral Home, Inc. 06-2007 Submitted by: Jo Aguirre
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July 10, 1960 - June 09, 2007
Funeral Services for Stephen Ray Hein, 46, of Oklahoma City formally of Fairview, will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 12, 2007 in at the Vondal L. Smith and Son Mortuary Chapel, north location, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Burial will be at 3:00 p.m. at the Lone Star Cemetery north west of Fairview, Oklahoma. Arrangements are by Vondal L. Smith and Son Mortuary with local arrangement by Fairview Funeral Home, Inc.
Steve was born July 10, 1960 in the Fairview, Ok. hospital to Leland and Carolyn Nicholson Hein and died June 9, 2007 in Oklahoma City. His parents were residents of Mutual at the time. As an infant, Steve was baptized and dedicated at the Cheyenne Valley Methodist Church.. Since his parents were educational professionals, he lived in numerous places throughout Oklahoma, including Mutual, Lament, Olustee, and Maysville where he graduated in 1978. Steve desired to play football and that was the reason for the move to Maysville in his sophomore year. He quickly excelled at the game and also was active in basketball, baseball, and threw the shot-put in track. Steve even tried his hand at bronco riding at the rodeos. Many happy hours were spent water skiing at the lake with his family and friends. Steve spent many summers near Fairview helping his Uncle Glenn Huscher with the farm work that included the fields of his grandparents' farm.
After graduating from high school, he turned down a football scholarship at Northwestern State at Alva to attend East Central with his friend, Brian Frizzel. He and Brian had attended Boys State there and when the term "red necks" was used to describe them, it was apparent that Steve was ready for a show down and he told the 5 name callers that 5 to 2 was the best odds he could give them. The antagonizers soon decided to leave him alone. One of the big interests of his entire life was guns. It began as a toddler when he and his mother had wonderful mock battles with their cap guns. He later enjoyed target shooting with friends and developed quite a collection of guns. His fondest memories were of hunting with his father and grandfather. It was on one of these hunting trips that Steve got to drive the old pickup with his dad and granddad in the back. Mom was in the cab with him. He gave the guys quite a ride as he could either see where he was going, or put his foot on the accelerator. Needless to say, Steve chose to go fast, as he did the rest of his life.
After a year at East Central, Steve went to work in the oil field holding various jobs, and ending with employment at a machine shop. He had planned to eventually take over the farming and ranching of his grandparents property, but his love of motorcycles ended that dream in 1980. A terrible crash ended in paraplegia for the remainder of his life.
After a time of healing, Steve returned to college and in 1984 earned a degree in Computer Science from Oklahoma State University. In 1984 he also married Carol Ann McCroskey, his best friend and the love of his life. The small wedding took place at her grandparent’s home near Maysville. The couple moved to Oklahoma City where Carol obtained her nursing degree and began a long career at Mercy Hospital and the Oklahoma Heart Hospital.
The couple traveled extensively and enjoyed many camping trips together. In 1986, Steve found a job that not only turned into a career he loved, but gave him a second family with many friends at CeCorp, which later became the Oklahoma City division of Smith & Nephew Inc. There were only 10 employees when Steve began with the company, so there was much sharing of knowledge, as everyone had to be able to perform all jobs. As the company grew, he moved into several positions: production supervisor, returned goods supervisor, materials group supervisor, and finally planner/buyer. It made him very proud to see some of the people he hired promoted to higher positions within the company. Steve was a faithful employee for 21 years who went to work many days under adverse physical conditions as his body began to weaken.
The decision to adopt a child was made after much soul searching. Steve was adamant that the middle name be the same one he and his father had. On July 4, 1995, 8 month old Joshua Ray Hein, a beautiful Mayan Indian infant, arrived in Oklahoma City from Guatemala. Joshua was an instant source of pride and love. Steve spent many hours with him and later on became a sideline parent at many tee ball and soccer games. Steve and Joshua also shared a great interest in computers. In 2004, after much discussion, Steve and Carol decided that Steve should become "Mr. Mom" and retire on disability. However, this plan came to an abrupt halt when infection in his leg in June of 2005 \ culminated in many surgeries and weeks in the hospital.
Steve has always had a love for animals and the last months of his life, he enjoyed the companionship of the family pets. They were constantly at his bedside as if they were the caretakers. Many people have commented on how well Steve coped with his disability. His Dad called him his hero as he always seemed to take every adversity in stride. He could smile and turn on the charm when he didn't have much to smile about. Steve had a knack of directing attention away from himself and letting his family and friends know that they were important to him. Steve's selfless spirit was shown by the many gallons of blood he donated. One of his favorite T shirts said "Recycle life, Give blood." In his final illness he attained hi goal to grow his hair enough to donate it to the Locks of Love for Cancer patients.
Survivors include wife Carol and son Joshua of the home. His parents Leland and Carolyn Hein of Fairview, Ok., mother in law Shirley McCroskey of Oklahoma City, sister in law Sue and husband James Lauderdale, brothers in law Lynn and Mike McCroskey, many cousins, nieces, nephews, good friends, and memories.
He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents George and Maude Hein, maternal grandparents Eugene and Wilma Nicholson, and father in law Loyd McCroskey.
Condolences may be made on line at www.fairviewfuneralhomeinc.com
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