Stevie D’s fight with Alzheimer’s concluded on Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018 at the George E. Whalen Veterans home. He was born in Ogden, Utah at Dee Hospital on Aug.
8 1953, to Celia and Celedonio DeHerrera. He has two brothers, Joe and Robert, and two sisters, Nancy Payne and Gloria (Doug) Terry. Steve loved them very much.
Steve was raised in Layton Utah. He graduated from Layton High in 1971. His graduating class was the only class to attend Layton for all 4 years of high school.
He married Patricia Facer, at St. Rose of Lima, shortly after graduation. They celebrated 47 years of marriage in September. They have two sons, Nathan and Michael, and five grandchildren, Gage, Myia, Destiny, Devery and Alex.
He loved his family and they always put a smile on his face, even during his last days. He proudly served his country when he joined the Air Force in 1971. He served during the Vietnam conflict and was stationed at Chanute AFB, Illinois, Hill Air Force Base, and Udorn, Thailand.
He served short stints in Las Vegas and England. In 1986 Steve decided he wanted to be airborne and he joined the Utah Army National Guard as a member of the 19th Special Forces. He loved heights and to jump.
He learned to jump from planes and helicopters. While he was in the guard he trained in Hawaii to jump from helicopters into the water. He really loved that assignment.
He served 4 years with the guard. Steve had a distinguished career as a welder. He joined the Boilermakers Union in 1976.
He continued his education becoming a journeyman and a certified welding inspector. He was a member of the American Welding Society. His career took him across the United States.
A great deal of his work was in the power industry. He met good friends and certified many welders along the way. His journey allowed the family to live in Price, Utah.
They enjoyed the mountains, deserts, lakes and wildlife in the area. It was a good time of life. Steve had many hobbies including: golfing, fishing, hunting, collecting movies, and boating.
His favorite hobby was playing guitar. He started playing as a young boy and played every day. He played bass in several bands and enjoyed playing and singing with friends.
Steve’s favorite place was his cabin near Flaming Gorge. He loved to take his friends and family boating and throwing people off of the tube. He did a lot of fishing on the gorge and hunting in the Uintas.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws Neal and Betty Facer, his sister in law Dorothy DeHerrera and his lifelong friend, Paul Valdez. Steve began showing signs of Alzheimer’s about 6 years ago. Our family knew he was in trouble when he could no longer play his guitar.
In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org or to the George E Whalen Veterans Home, 1102 1200 W Ogden, UT 84404. The family would like to thank Paul and Judy Valdez, James and Debbie Jaramillo, Ronnie Martinez, and especially Steve’s cousin Marcos Martinez Jr. for their many visits and outings with Steve. Thanks to everyone that visited him while he was ill, it meant so much to him and the family.
Thanks to the staff at Barrington Place for the care you all displayed during Steve’s residence, Envision Hospice and the staff at the George E. Whalen Veterans Home for caring for Steve and his family during his final days. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, November 30, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 210 Chapel Street, Layton, Utah. Friends may visit family Thursday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No.
Fairfield Road. A Rosary with remarks will be held at 7:30 p.m. Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.
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