July 24, 1942 ~ May 13, 2024
Stephen Eric Tolliver passed away May 13, 2024, at 4:31 p.m. surrounded by his family.
Stephen was born July 24, 1942, in Fairbury to Richard and Harriet Tolliver. He grew up in Fairfield. Steve graduated from Fairfield High in 1960, after lettering in football, basketball, and track. He joined the Navy and trained at the Naval training center in San Diego, CA. He was a radio operator stationed in Hawaii. After an honorable discharge from the Navy, he married Joan Tolliver in 1965. They had a daughter, Michele, in 1968, and a son, Darren, in 1971. Steve started working at a bank in the L.A. area and worked his way up the ladder to Vice President. He moved on to different jobs until he found a job with Specialized Management Support, which eventually moved his family to the San Jose area. They settled in 1976 in a house in Los Gatos, CA where they would live for the next 41 years. When Steve’s job asked him to move again, he turned it down and began working at Heritage Home in San Jose, CA. This home helped women in crisis pregnancy have a place to stay, eat, and feel like part of a family. Steve was “dad” to hundreds of women who went through the house, and some even named their son after him.
During his life Steve was a Deacon, an Elder in his church, and on the board for many organizations including San Jose Christian College, now Jessup University. In 2018, Steve and Joan moved back to Southern CA to be near their grandchildren. Steve was soon diagnosed with Dementia. His battle was hard fought, and a few years ago he moved to a boarding house near his family so he was still able to see them a few times a week.
He loved sports, especially Nebraska Football. He attended many road games that were in CA over the years and he also loved cheering for the San Jose Sharks Hockey team.
Steve leaves behind his wife, Joan; daughter, Michele; son, Darren; daughter-in-law, Heather; and his three granddaughters— Abigail, Jaedyn, and Elliana.
Steve’s wishes were that his final resting place be in his native state of Nebraska near where he grew up. Steve, in his almost 82 years on this earth, touched and changed many lives as a mentor, leader, missionary, boss, and father. He is now with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in heaven.
All who knew him are invited to a memorial service for him at Clay Center Christian Church at 2 p.m., Monday July 1, 2024. He will be interred at Fairfield Cemetery.
