Steve Shown

MONTE VISTA — Steve Shown, 64, passed into the arms of his Savior on July 5, 2020, at Sangre De Cristo Hospice in Pueblo, Colorado after he had bravely battled kidney disease like a true hero (and many other maladies extending from that) for 6 years, enduring countless hours on dialysis, innumerable hospital, doctor and ER visits, and tons of medications! He was a trooper until the end proclaiming he would “live and not die” but finally his body could stand no more!!   

     Steve was born on May 17, 1956, in Jerome, Idaho to Ben and Bonnie Shown. He was the youngest child with 2 older brothers, Dan and Merle. He was raised moving dozens of times as the family traveled due to his father’s job. So once he moved to the San Luis Valley, it was hard to ever want to move again and he had just passed his 25th anniversary of living there.

     Steve graduated in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1975. He worked in tire retreading for many years. Later he became a pastor which was the true calling of his life. He pastored in Monte Vista, Colorado for 18 years. There was nothing he loved more than to preach the word of God. And 7 years after he no longer could pastor, people still called him Pastor Steve and would come up to him and call him that many of whom he didn’t even know.

     Steve loved to hunt and target shoot and could hit what he aimed at from a great distance. Fishing was one of his favorite things to do as well as making things from wood. He was very good at carpentry and has made many gifts for the family over the years as well as filling his own home with much of his handiwork. He did very well at handyman jobs and car mechanics also.

     Steve married his wife Jo Lynn on July 4, 1991, in Loveland, Colorado, married on Independence Day, symbolic of declaring their freedom from past hurts.  They had 5 children between the two of them. They were married 29 years and 1 day when he passed (he seemed to make sure he didn’t die on the anniversary but make sure they made that milestone because he kept hanging on past what anyone expected). They loved each other SO much and one of their trademarks was always trying to dress in the same colors and they received many compliments over the years for doing so.

    Steve is survived by his wife, Jo Lynn, mother Bonnie and son Courtney from Monte Vista, Co., son Cory (Valene) and daughter Cary (Tom) from Black Hawk, Co, sons Steven (Tammy) from Spearfish, S. Dakota, Levi (Theresa) from Alamosa, Co. as well as 9 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, brother Merle (Annette) from Apache Junction, Az, sister in law Joan from Lynchburg, Va. and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

     Steve was preceded in death by his brother Dan in March 2015 and father Ben in April 2020. As well as all grandparents and many aunts and uncles.

     Steve wore hearing aids for 40 years and still struggled even then, but now he can hear! He had gotten to where he could only walk with a walker but now he’s walking everywhere. He wasn’t a dancer though his wife tried to get him there but now he’s dancing in heaven with all the loved ones gone before! He was a good man who loved his God, his wife, and his family and he will be missed every day but praise God, we will see him again!!