Steve Kallam

Gary Stephen Kallam, of Greensboro, North Carolina, passed away at the hospice home on February 5, 2024 from a long battle with cancer at the age of 65. Steve was born on April 30, 1958 to Billy Joe and Barbara Kallam. After graduating from Dudley High School in 1976, he went on to study nursing at UNC Greensboro.

In 1979, Steve met the love of his life, Melinda, and they wed in 1983, going on to have 2 daughters, Brianne and Victoria, whom he was very proud of. They celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in August. Steve was enamored with Melinda’s infectious laugh and her kind and caring spirit. She will forever be his “Brown Eyed Girl”.

Caring for others through nursing was Steve’s life's work. He touched countless lives providing compassionate mental health services to children in his community. He poured heart and soul into the care and comfort of his patients and was named a North Carolina Top 100 nurse in 2016.

Steve’s true passion in life was vintage cars. His pride and joy was the 1967 Chevrolet Riviera that he built from the ground up in his garage. He was a talented artist when it came to painting vintage cars and was beloved by his car-loving community, who could be found every Friday having lunch at the Pavilion.

Everyone who knew Steve knew how thoughtful and genuine he was. He was always the first to offer a helping hand or (at times long-winded) words of advice. He loved treasure hunting in antique stores across the state with Melinda. His knowledge was vast and varied, from cars to home improvement to vintage furniture to UNC basketball. His passion and joy for his favorite pastimes were obvious to all after even just a single meeting with Steve.

Steve was preceded in death by his father, Billy Joe Kallam. Steve is survived by his wife, Melinda Kallam, his two daughters, Brianne (Sam) Celotto and Victoria Kallam, his grandson Oakley Celotto, his mother Barbara Kallam, and siblings Sheila Kallam, Greg (Marissa) Kallam, and Renate (Vance) Tate, and an abundance of family and friends. We will all miss Steve more than words can say.

Steve was an active member of Westover Church for 30 years and was grateful for the love and support shown to him and his family throughout his diagnosis and treatment.

A visitation will be held at Hanes Lineberry Funeral Home on Sunday, February 11th from 2:00-4:00. The funeral service will be held at Westover Church at 2:00 on Monday, February 12th and will be followed by a private burial for close family and friends.

Contributions in memory of Steve can be made to Greensboro Urban Ministry and AuthoraCare (hospice). The family would like to share their gratitude with Dr. Kale, nurses Beth, Sandy, and Tammi and all of the kind and dedicated staff at AuthoraCare.