He taught me to respect authority, but to navigate life using my own judgment and to pursue my dreams.  And to always be steadfast in maintaining an excellent work ethic and to never give up.  He said family is everything and to always protect each other and always stick together.  He also taught me to always be kind and lend a helping hand to others.  
	I say all these things about him to say he was the greatest person I’ve ever known.  Though he was not without faults as none of us are, he taught me both through his words and through his actions.  And I believe that speaks volumes about my Daddy’s heart, and his life being covered by the Father’s love.


The Measure of a Man
Proverb 22:6 – Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
	I adore my father!  In my eyes no other can compare,  That is, until I met Father God through Jesus.  At which point my life blessings became even greater.
	My Daddy and I were best buddies from the day I was born.  We loved to have fun. We liked to fish, and we pretended to hunt.  By that I mean only once did he shoot something with me there and our hunting trip ended with a trip to the rescue zoo.  We loved to explore the beaches, the woods, the waters, and the skies.  We watched birds, bugs, and any other of God’s creatures.  We collected shells, rocks, sticks, or anything of nature that caught our eye or interest.  He loved the warmth of the sunshine on his face, and was not at all a fan of cold weather.  That is when we stayed inside to play.  We played checkers, cards, pool, and put together many puzzles. He had an unusual skill set for each of these, which always gave me an inside giggle.  And some times we would do nothing but sit quietly while he petted Jilly and we pondered our own thoughts.  Watching him display his love for his dog filled my heart, and just being in the company of my best friend was fine with me.
He was always there for me without fail. With a smile, and a twinkle in his grey eyes, and a heart filled with love and patience.
	My Daddy’s unconditional love for me made it easy to understand all the lessons in life that a parent should teach.  And when I rebelled, he loved me enough to spank my bottom really well, so I would learn my lesson.  I always knew he did it out of love for me. He taught me to have a reverence for God, by making sure I attended church at an early age.  He also taught me to respect people, and how to communicate with others.  He always said, “You can say anything you need to say; you just have to say it so the one your saying it to will want to listen, otherwise what’s the point?”

Being the youngest of all of his kids, you would think I got the “oldest” version of him growing up. But that doesn’t happen when your dad is one big kid himself. My husband Matt asked about the characteristic of dad he should try to emulate for our daughter Teddi and without a doubt I said be Playful. I look back on my childhood and feel so lucky to have been his daughter. He was the best dad and role model I could have ever asked for. Being a bossy more serious person myself, he taught me how to have fun and laugh. I remember when I was young and Kristina did something against the rules (probably about to burn the house down) and I rushed in to tell my dad… his response was “Nobody likes a tattle tale Kelly”. I came home from school one day and he had built Kristina and I stilts from scratch. I was a scaredy cat but somehow he convinced me to get on those stilts. I was as tall as our house and could touch my hand on the roof while walking around. Mom came home dumbfounded and horrified that we were going to break our legs but that was him. He was Superman and you trusted him with your life. He used to get me ready for school in the mornings- My hair was down to my butt and he’d have me lay with my head over the roll arm of the couch and swoop my hair into a pony-tale in one swift movement- starting each day with a laugh. He taught us to bait our own hooks and clean our own fish. To ride a bike. I could drive a stick shift by the age of 11. (Only in the neighborhood of course :) I have nothing but PERFECT memories of him. I’m so glad my husband had the privilege of getting to know him these last 4 years and appreciates the relationship we had. He died only 3 days before our daughter Teddi was born but she will know her Papaw through all of my perfect memories that I’ll share with her as she grows. I played her our song “Only You” by the platters and I can tell she’s a fan. Love you Dad. Keep an eye on Teddi for me from heaven.  

Karen, Kiri, Kathy, Steve, we are so sorry to hear the passing of your dad (Uncle Steve), I never got to get to know him personally, but John’s stories and all of your stories, I feel like I knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with youall. We love youall. Johnny and Kerri❤️

Johnny and Kerri Ulmer

My deepest condolences to our southern family May he Rest in Peace. A born New Yorker who picked up that southern drawl that charmed the world. His hands touched many but not as many as his heart. Love n miss you all -- Cathie Raguso

Kirsten, I never knew how wonderful your father was until I heard your eulogy and the other children. It sounds like your father made everyone feel special. I know you will miss him but you'll see him again. What a wonderful man he was. I wish had taken the time to get to know him, but I'll see him in heaven one day.

I am deeply saddened to learn of Steve's passing. I grew up in EPH with Kathy and Stevie. I later joined the PFD in 1983 and worked with Steve until his retirement. He was a good man and good fireman; and funny as heck too!
May God bless you all with comfort and compassion.

I know Mr. Koklas was very loved by his daughter Kirsten. I envied her relationship with her father and I know that she holds a special joy in her heart knowing that she will see him again and they will stroll the streets of gold.

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Committal Prayer Service

Steve is survived by his wife of 43 years, Cynthia Koklas; children: Karen Mims (Frank), Kirsten Owens, Kathryn Propst, Steve "Stevie" Koklas, Kristina Koklas Shernoff and Kelly Koklas (Matthew); grandchildren: Regina Weekley, Anthony Weekley, Jeremy Norman, Ryan Koklas, Damon Propst, Devon Propst, Madeline Shernoff, Evalyn Shernoff and Teddi Koklas Henderson; great grandchildren: Mikayla Austie, Emily Austie, Alex Weekley, Noah Koklas; great-great grandchild: Austin Stevens; and last but not least, his four-legged child, Jillian (Jilly) Bean.

OBITUARY

Stephen "Steve" Koklas

21 March, 1937 – 19 January, 2023

Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens

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