John Eugene "Gene" Steyne

John Eugene "Gene" Steyne

Cedar Rapids

AFCM John Eugene "Gene" Steyne, USN (Ret) passed away on June 15, 2023. He was 83 years old. Born in Iowa City, Iowa, he was the 5th of 10 children born to John Arthur and Mayme Blanche Steyne.

After growing up and dancing around (one of his favorite things to do) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa,

the next important chapter in his life began when he was a young man of 17 and decided to serve his country by enlisting in the U.S. Navy (USN) in 1957. Little did he know that this chapter of his life was going to last 23.5 years, starting with boot camp at RTC San Diego, Calif., (1958), and his final stop being HS-15 at NAS Jacksonville, Fla., (1979-1980). Between 1977-80, he was temporarily appointed and held the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2 before retiring. During all of this service, he obtained his high school equivalency diploma (1971); and his associate of arts college degree from Pensacola Junior College (1974).

While going through the Navy school in Oklahoma, the next but more important chapter of his life began when he met Helen June Cherry (thru mutual friends) and the rest is history (which lasted 62 years). John Eugene Steyne and Helen June Cherry tied the marriage knot on March 1, 1959 in Gainesville, Texas, and renewed their marriage vows in the Catholic Church on Aug. 22, 1964, in Brunswick, Maine. Shortly after starting their married life together, they welcomed three sons into the world: Scott, John Jr. and Jeffery. While making sure that three active boys got to school, baseball games (also coached them), bowling leagues and many more activities while serving in the U.S. Navy; he also started a second career after retiring from the service by being a Government Civil Service employee at NAS Pensacola and Warner-Robins Air Force Base, Ga. His second career lasted 17 years before retiring again. Once retired, they returned to Pensacola, calling and making it their permanent homestead. After settling into the retirement years, he began the life of the spoiling grandpa (or Paw Paw) to all who filled the role of grandson(s), granddaughter(s) and great-grandchildren. That role involved long, fun trips to Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Iowa (plus many other places too), embracing the traveling RV lifestyle. To all, he was Father (Dad), Grandpa (Paw Paw), Brother, Uncle, but equally important, Friend to all that knew him and enjoyed his company.

Gene is survived by his sisters, Katheryn Peel (Jimmy), Lynda Walleck; his brother, Danny Steyne of Cedar Rapids; sister, Leah Fisher (Gary) of Bella Vista, Ark.; sons, John E. Steyne Jr. (Jane); Jeff Steyne (Jamie); grandchildren, Nicholas Edward Steyne, Kimberly Anne Steyne, Kiera Irene Steyne, Krystal Colleen Woodard (Roger), Micah Daniel Hallman and Misty Dianne Kiker (Jerry); and seven great-grandchildren.

Gene is predeceased by his parents; four sisters; his bride, Helen; and his first son, Barry Scott Steyne.

Interment will be at Barrancas National Cemetery on Naval Air Station Pensacola, in July of 2023. All family and friends would be welcomed to attend.