Stephen James Paprotny

Stephen James Paprotny, 36, of Las Vegas, Nevada, passed away on June 7, 2024.

Stephen was born on March 23, 1988, to Janice Hobbs and George Paprotny in Oceanside, California.

As a baby and small child, Stephen never met a stranger, but embraced all people. This curiosity and love continued into adulthood.

Stephen was fearless. At 14 years old, he terrified his mother by standing at the very edge of the Grand Canyon. He loved rock climbing, a hobby that brought him a lot of peace, and he even went skydiving.

After Stephen graduated from Trinity High School in 2006, he studied nursing at the College of Southern Nevada, where he was one semester shy of graduating.

As a Certified Nursing Assistant in Nebraska, the residents and staff adored Stephen because of his genuine and caring nature.

Stephen loved animals, people, and adventure.

He became best friends with every dog he encountered and often said, “Everyone dislikes pigeons; someone needs to stand up for them.”

Stephen loved from his heart, especially those who were downtrodden and less fortunate than he was. He was generous beyond measure in love, finances, and time.

His adventures took him to Chengdu, China, where he lived for a while, Nebraska, various places in California, Pennsylvania, and Montana. But he always came back to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he enjoyed the fast-paced, people-oriented life driving a rickshaw, serving at restaurants, and learning sales.

Stephen had hopes and dreams of someday moving somewhere in Central or South America (likely Argentina), getting married, having kids, and being the best parent he could be.

Stephen was preceded in death by his grandmother and step-grandfather Margaret Anne “Peggy” Kimball and Donald D. Kimball; his grandfather and step-grandmother William James Hobbs (from whom Stephen acquired his middle name) and Dolores Hobbs; his grandparents Brigitte and Guenther Paprotny; and his aunt, Marilyn Diane Hobbs, who died almost 27 years before his birth.

He is survived by his mother, Janice Hobbs; his father and stepmother, George and Aimee Paprotny; his brother and sisters: Eric Paprotny, Diana Paprotny, and Elaine (Paprotny) Fischer, who is expecting her third child; his brother-in-law Jason Fischer; his nephew and niece: Anthony and Alyssa Fischer; and his chosen family, Aaron Jacobson and Nick and Chelsea Russo.

A service will be held at Community Lutheran Church on Monday, June 24, at 1 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to “Shine A Light”, an organization Stephen loved, which helps hundreds of people living in the underground flood channels of Las Vegas.

Stephen will be greatly missed by those who love him.