Stephen Frederick Jerman

Stephen Frederick Jerman was born on April 11, 1951 in Bad Toelz, Germany. He graduated from Austin High School in El Paso, Texas in 1969 and enlisted in the US Navy. He was stationed at Quonset Point, Rhode Island and met his future wife Donna there. He graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 1976 with a degree in Business Administration.

Because of his love of the southwest, he and his family returned to El Paso in 1982. He retired from his 30 year career at Frito Lay in 2013.

Steve’s passions were his family, visiting national parks and football.

He was a humble man and loved by all.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Donna; his son Greg and his wife Ashley; his daughter Stephanie and her partner Nathan; and his daughter Stacy and her husband Alex. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Caiden and Kinsley Cecil and Rowynn and Emelia Jerman. He is also survived by his faithful pet Kota Bear and several nieces and nephews.

A Gathering of Remembrance will be held Tuesday, September 12, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a Celebration of Life at 7:00 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home West, 128 N. Resler Dr., El Paso, TX 79912. Inurnment will be Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson, El Paso, TX 79906.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MartinFuneralHomeWest.com for the Jerman family.

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Dad was a morning person. In a house full of night owls and not-so-early risers, he was kind of an anomaly. Every Sunday morning, while we were stumbling out bed, Dad had already walked the dog, gone to the store, drank a couple cups of coffee, read the newspaper and he was ready to talk about current events. Meanwhile, the rest of us were trying to figure out how in the world he could be so chipper that early in the morning.

As a father, he instilled in me and my sisters a passion for nature, wildlife, dogs and hot sauce. He was an adventurous individualist. He often said that he should have been born an 18th century mountain man. He taught us that same sense of adventure and independence and we will be forever grateful to him for the experiences and the lessons that he shared with us.

- I can say without a doubt that the camping and hiking adventures that he took me on shaped me as a

person. Just one example is the sense of accomplishment I felt as an 8-year-old kid when he and I

hiked the Grand Canyon. After a long and arduous trek down and back up again, we reached the rim

at about sunset. I felt like a giant casting a 100-foot shadow. The lessons I learned on that trip about

not giving up and pushing through adversity served me well through my athletic career and beyond.

- There were many other great experiences and lessons I learned on our adventures together, but I have

to admit that my most cherished memories have to be the misadventures.

- When we took a family vacation in a rented RV and ended up dragging the muffler loudly across three

states.

- Renting a motor boat on Lake Mead, encountering a giant hornet, fighting it off with a paddle before

speeding off back to the marina.

- Going fishing at Lake Roberts in New Mexico and capsizing a row boat in front of several shocked

onlookers after Dad stood up in the boat before it was docked and then immediately fell directly on top

of me. We both laughed hysterically during the long, wet drive back to our campsite. One of his most

endearing traits was that he didn't take himself too seriously. It's one of the things I'll miss the most.

He was a kind and compassionate man. He loved animals and the outdoors. He loved the mythology and romance of the West. He was a life-long learner. He loved to laugh. He was by nature somewhat of a loner, but he was also genuine and friendly in conversation with others, listening rather than just waiting to speak. I am so grateful to him for the love, encouragement and support that he gave to me and my sisters. I know now that he was a morning person, at least in part, because for decades, he woke up at 4:00 AM five days a week to go work long hours so that he could provide for his family and to help his children make their own way in the world.

He grew up with very few family bonds, yet despite that, he was a loving and caring father and husband, and my sisters and I are extremely fortunate to have had him as a father. I will strive to live up to his example for the rest of my life.