Son, big brother, husband and friend, Steve, has run his last race.
His shoes have pounded Peachtree Street for some 35-plus road races and the streets of Carrboro, N.C., as well. The marathon began in Charlottesville, Va., on Sept. 15, 1948. Steve spent his early years in Radford, Va., Cumberland, Md., and Salt Lake City, teaching his younger brothers the ways of the world and how to be kids. After high school in Bremerton, Wash., he joined the Navy. Stationed in the northeast and freezing, the lesson he learned from the service was warmer climes are more ideal for running shorts. Steve headed south. He graduated from the University of South Carolina, then moved to Atlanta, where he met his best friend, Becky, coached the Supersuds women’s softball team and made many lifelong friends. Steve and Becky married and a few years later settled in Carrboro.
As in the yearly Atlanta Peachtree Road Race, he ran well, slowing his pace to build houses for Habitat for Humanity. He loved to travel and he and Becky spent time in Europe and visited many areas of the United States. He took time out for reading and watching the Braves.
Steve sought family. He adored and connected with the Coble clan. He kept in touch with Ohio and Virginia kin and was close to Mikki and Preston, parents he so loved, visiting them often in Salt Lake. He leaves behind an empty spot in the hearts of wife, Becky; Mom and Dad; brothers, Bruce, Keith and Jeff; sisters-in-law, Sarah, Ramona, Beth and Kathleen; nieces, Gloria, Kristen, Alina, Brianna, Sara, Shannon, Erin and Janae; nephews, Kevin, Wren and Riley; and feline friends, Lucy and Boots.
 Steve crosses the finish line in Julian, N.C., where he will rest next to Pete and Kate Coble, Becky’s parents. Flowers and plants can be sent to Loflin Funeral Home, 212 W. Swannanoa Ave., Liberty, NC 27298. Donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity. Online condolences can be made at walkersfuneralservice.com in the obituaries section.