Stephen Strom

Stephen E. Strom, 82, of Cape Girardeau was called home by his Lord on Friday, Sept. 26, 2014. He died at Southeast Hospital, where he was born Dec. 22, 1931, son of Elmer A. and Pauline Drusch Strom.

With the exception of his college and Air Force years, Steve spent his entire life in Cape Girardeau, contributing time and talents in many areas of the community.

He graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School in 1949. He graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with an A.B. in 1953 and with an L.L.B./J.D. in 1955. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Order of the Coif, editor of Missouri Law Review and was ranked first in his graduating class.

He married Patricia Fuson on Aug. 21, 1954, in North Kansas City, Missouri.

Mr. Strom served in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General's Office at Parks Air Force Base in California from 1955 to 1957. He retired from the Air Force Reserve with the rank of captain.

He practiced law with his father, Elmer Strom, from 1957 to 1973, when that firm merged with the firm of Finch, Finch, Knehans and Cochrane, later renamed Finch, Bradshaw, Strom and Steele.

Mr. Strom retired in 1996, having been a member of the Missouri Bar Association for 40 years.

He served as Cape Girardeau prosecuting attorney from 1958 to 1960.

He was president of the Cape Girardeau Jaycees from 1964 to 1965, receiving the Distinguished Service Award in 1965; was a member of the Cape Girardeau City Council from 1968 to 1972; participated in Cape Girardeau Vision 2020 planning; was a Little League Baseball team manager from 1968 to 1969; was a member of the Southeast Hospital Board of Trustees for more than 50 years, serving as president from 1979 to 1981; was president of Cape Girardeau Noon Lions Club from 1981 to 1982; was a member of the Cape Girardeau Country Club; and participated in the Read to Succeed program in the Cape Girardeau School District.

He also was a founding elder of Westminster Presbyterian Church, serving on the Session for 20 years, and a charter member of La Croix United Methodist Church, where he served as an adult Bible teacher and member of the administrative council.

He was a member of the board of directors of Lay Renewal Ministries, headquartered in St. Louis, serving one term as president. Holding a private pilot's license allowed him to use his airplane in the work of this organization, traveling throughout the Midwest and South, helping churches bring the message of Jesus Christ to their areas.

His hobbies included woodworking, golfing, sailing and traveling. His interest in log cabins and woodworking led him to design and supervise the construction of the Red House Interpretive Center in downtown Cape Girardeau in preparation for the bicentennial celebration of the 1802-1806 Lewis and Clark expedition. He also supervised the rebuilding of the Old Bethel Baptist Church in Jackson.

He was the developer of Northfield Subdivision, an area of more than 200 homes north of Lexington Avenue.

In addition to his wife, Pat, he is survived by their two children, David M. (Caroline) Strom of Sikeston, Missouri, and Susan (Peter) Skilton of Charlotte, North Carolina; five grandchildren, Sarah Strom (Eric) Bohl, Matthew and Stuart Strom, Paige Skilton (Charlie) Hinkle and Eric (Lara) Skilton; two great-grandchildren, August and Maggie Bohl; his sister Katie (John) Squires of Springfield, Missouri; two nephews; a niece; and their children.

A celebration of Steve's life will be at a later date. Memorial contributions may be given to La Croix Church, 3102 Lexington Ave.; Southeast Health Foundation, 60 Doctors' Park, Suite 102; Chateau Girardeau Foundation, 3120 Independence St.; or the charity of the donor's choice.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.