Corry James Steed

Corry James Steed, age 96, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, died peacefully in Austin August 22, 2013. His adored wife Elsie Elizabeth Vitek Steed predeceased him in 2003 after 64 years of marriage. Born September 25, 1916, Corry was predeceased by his father Augusta Winfield Steed and mother Bessie Lee Adams Steed; brothers Lonie Mose Steed, Augusta Ray Steed, and Garland Vancel Steed. His surviving sister Jo Ann Steed Watts says that her big brother has always been her hero.

After a happy and typical Texas farm childhood in Chilton, Texas, Corry left for college in San Marcos on a football scholarship with plans to be a coach. Then it was off to Baytown and marrying his "sweetie Elsie Lou" and the birth of their only child Jim. Corry said the most satisfying time of his life was during Jim's growing-up years when life centered around their many friends and youth sports. Corry pitched thousands of balls to Jim and friends in their backyard on Florida Street. His postponed coaching dreams were realized in 1958 when he coached his teenage baseball team to a state championship. The family of three made many lifetime friends and had hilarious stories about that time in their lives. These Baytown friends remain a close knit group today.

It was a red letter day when Humble Oil (Exxon today) called with a job offer. Corry cared deeply about his job at the Baytown Refinery during his 35 years and eventually was promoted to one of the highest supervisory positions in the refinery. He still had vivid dreams about his life at the plant.

Always a natty dresser, he would later in life come down for breakfast fully dressed with vest and shiny Italian loafers. Told he looked like former President George H.W. Bush, Corry would entertain with the tall tale that he was the long-lost brother Thurman Bush. Those conversations always ended with big laughs. Then there is the story of Corry spending the night in a tree with his gun in the front yard lying in wait for the armadillos that were laying waste to his yard. He took his landscaping seriously.

Corry had a special talent with the written word, and his poetry showed his deep understanding of life. When Elsie got ill, she taught Corry her secret of making world-class pies. He learned his lessons well and showed his love and concern to family and friends with his delicious baked-from-scratch pies.

After retirement they moved to Salado where there were happy times with their grandsons Jason and Bryan golfing, camping out, and teaching them time-honored methods of setting trot lines. Youth sports remained important to him, and in his mid 90's he was still attending the youth sports of his great-grandchildren.

He had a lifelong love and involvement with football. Texas Longhorns never had a more devoted fan. Recruiting was as much fun as the games. Corry talked for hours with Bill Poole, Mike Wheeler, Bryan Stratton, and other friends about every aspect of the team. Even in his last hospital stay, he had lively conversations about the Horns.

Corry is survived and will be missed by his loving family: Son Jim Steed and wife LaVada; Jim's son Jason Steed and wife RaNee with their children Kelsey, Tyler, and Katherine of Austin; Jim's son Bryan Steed and wife Gena with their children Madison, Molly, and Jake of The Woodlands; LaVada's daughters Cynthia Jackson and Holly Jackson; and LaVada's son Brad Jackson and wife Dana and children Nicole and Robin; and Elisa Guerrero of Austin.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 25, 2013 at Weed-Corley-Fish at 3125 North Lamar.

Memorial Services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, August 26, 2013 at Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel and interment will be held earlier that day at the Oak Grove Cemetery at 10:00 a.m.

Pallbearers are Jason Steed, Bryan Steed, Brad Jackson, Bryan Stratton, Jim Sessions and David Miller. Honorary pallbearers are Bill Poole, Mike Wheeler, and Billy Johnson. Pastor Tom Goodman of Hillcrest Baptist Church will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hillcrest Baptist Church, 3838 Steck Avenue, Austin 78759.