Carroll Stephen Cathey (Steve), 67, passed on to his reward Sunday, June 19th 2016 at Trinity hospital in Wolf Point, MT., with his wife and children by his side.
Steve was born June 27th 1948 to Carroll and Roselle Cathey in Oakland, CA. Steve grew up in Newark, CA. where he graduated from Newark High Scholl in Steve joined the Navy directly out of high school and served two tours in Viet Nam where he was a gunner / engineer on a PBR – patrol boat, river.
Returning home from Viet Nam Steve went to work for his grandparents at Morgan Bros. Patio in San Leandro, CA. A good friend of Steve’s set him up on a blind date where he met the love of his life, Virginia Gebhardt (Ginger) Ginger’s father, Assistant Fire Chief Charles Gebhardt, introduced Steve to the second love of his life, fire fighting. Steve had a 28 year career with the Alameda City fire department, where he retired in 2003 as a much admired fire captain.
In 1973 Steve and Ginger were married in Castro Valley, CA., bought their first home in Newark and started their family. Steve, Ginger, son David and daughter Sarah then moved in 1980 to Penn Valley, CA. to pursue their love of animal & ranching. After many years of 4-H and FFA projects, children going off to college, and starting their lives ‘on their own’, Steve & Ginger retired to their present home in Wolf Point, MT.
Steve enjoyed working his hay fields and helping Ginger with the raising of her paint and quarter horses. Steve was always an avid fisherman and during his fire career he did a few years of commercial fishing outside and around the San Francisco Bay between his shifts at the firehouse. He enjoyed fly tying & fishing, and had several friends he shared this ‘hobby’ with over the years. He especially enjoyed fishing with his daughter Sarah and often ‘complained’ how she always out fished him.
Steve looked forward to the fall visits of the friends and firemen who hunted on his ranch year after year. It was very special for him to see his friends have a great time with very few going away ’empty handed’ !
Steve leaves behind many wonderful friends from his home in Wolf Point and his fire house family. He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Ginger; son David (Cameron) Cathey and daughter Sarah Cathey both of Phoenix, AZ.; Siblings, Glenn (Becky) Cathey and Cindy (Gordon) Silva; and numerous beloved extended family members.
Preceded in death by his parents, Carroll Cathey; Nick and Roselle Dobrow; grandparents Earle and Martha Morgan; Emma Cathey.
In accordance with Steve’s final wishes, his remains were donated to MedCure for cancer research. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with these arrangements for Steve and the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to cancer research in Steve’s honor.