Steve L. Lonker Obituary (1941 - 2021)

Born Jul 23, 1941, Steve L. Lonker was faculty at William Byrd High School in Vinton, VA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Steve L. Lonker.

School Role	Faculty
Date of Birth	Jul 23, 1941
Date of Passing	Nov 30, 2021
About	Steve L. Lonker, age 80, of Vinton, VA, left his earthly home on November 30, 2021. He was born in Sullivan, WV, but spent most of his younger years in Sarah Ann, WV, and in Logan, WV. He was preceded in death by his father Mike Lonker, his mother Ruby Ragle Lonker, and by his two brothers, Mike Lonker II and Robert Gene Lonker. Left to honor his memory are his wife of fifty-nine years, Jo-Ann; daughter Whitney Rae of Orange Park, FL; Kathy Uhley of Orange Park, FL; son, Todd and daughter-in-law Vickie of Cary, NC; grandchildren Anna Lonker Fearrington (John) and those precious great-granddaughters Olivia Anne and Leighton Victoria of Raleigh, NC, Andrew (Kristen) of Savannah, GA, and Alex of Cary, NC. Continuing to honor Steve are sisters-in-law Pat Davidson of Salem, VA, and Brenda Short of Jacksonville, FL; niece Tara Davidson of Vinton, VA; Rebecca Bays of Vinton, VA; niece LeAyn Easterwood (Scott), great-nephew, Jack and great-niece Jamie of Hershey, PA; and great-nephew, Grayson of Jacksonville, FL. Also honoring Steve are his sister Patricia Ward and family of Hilliard, Ohio; niece Joanna Lonker of Roanoke, VA; nephew Rick Lonker from Salem, VA; great-nephew Ricky and his wife Annie and those precious great-great-nephews, Preston, Garrett, Emory, and Beau. Steve graduated from Logan High School in Logan, WV, in 1959, from Concord College in 1963, and from Radford University with his Master’s Degree in 1971. His early love and talent for athletics led him to become a teacher and football coach at Princeton Junior High School (1963-64), Princeton High School (1964-65), both in Princeton, WV. He then became teacher and head football and track coach at William Byrd High School (1965-72) in Vinton, VA; from 1972-76 he was Assistant Principal at William Byrd Junior High School in Vinton, VA; from 1976-79 he served as Principal at Mason’s Cove Elementary School in Roanoke Co. From 1979-97 he was principal at William Byrd Middle School in Vinton, VA. His FIRST retirement came in 1997, when he became an Educational Consultant for Hammond and Stephens Co, where he worked until his second retirement in 2002. Steve was known for many positive qualities: his character, his helping nature, his goodness, his integrity, his “random acts of kindness,” and that head of beautiful white hair! He loved his family unconditionally and was the most wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, and uncle anyone could imagine. Steve loved going to BoJangles with “the coffee club” to solve world problems and/or to discuss various sports activities. He was a member and deacon at Vinton Baptist Church and a member of various service organizations, such as the Vinton Host Lion’s Club, where he was past president and received the Melvin Jones Fellow for humanitarian service award. He served on the War Memorial Renovation Committee and on the Vision Committee that was in part responsible for the building of the Vinton/Roanoke County Veterans Monument “High Ground.” He spent many hours tending to his lawn and field…most of those were enjoyable hours. He also enjoyed golfing and spending time with family. Steve will be greatly missed by many, but God just received one who offered all the qualities He asks from us. Until we meet again….we love you now and forever. The family would like to thank the staff at Brookdale Roanoke and the Good Samaritan Hospice for the care and love they provided for Steve during his time there.