Stephen B. Hailstone was born, January 21, 1930, in Logan, UT and passed away at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center on Friday, September 23, 2011.
He is survived by Lenore White Hailstone, whom he married December 22, 1956, and daughters Mikelea Kelley and husband Scott; Melanie Nighbert, husband Jeff and grandsons Taylor and Hunter Sasso; Amanda Blanton, husband Donnie and grandchildren Stephanie, Nicholas and Matthew Blanton. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents, John Leland and Ina Mae Hailstone, brother John Leland Hailstone II, sisters Luana Kludt and Geraldine Lawton, and nephew Michael Kludt.
Steve was active in the Boy Scouts, and in 1944 was one of the two youngest Eagle Scouts in the history of Santa Clara County scouting. That same year he received the American Legion award. Steve graduated from Gilroy High School and following high school attended San Jose State University. On December 26, 1950, he joined the Air Force.
While stationed in Japan he earned the rank of Master Sergeant. Following his discharge from the Air Force he returned to San Jose State where he completed his BA degree in Education.
Steve spent his 35 year career with San Benito Joint Union High School. While teaching he continued to further his education at Santa Clara University where he earned his Master’s Degree, after which he became a counselor and an administrator at SBJUHS. Upon retiring he served 12 years on the SBJUHS Board as well as serving on the Board of the Sunnyslope County Water District from 1984 to 2010 as a member and president.
Steve loved spending time with Lenore and their daughters and families as well their good friends. They spent many wonderful extended weekends with their friends in the San Benito Travel Company as well as time traveling throughout the United States and Canada. He loved working in his yard, wood working, and reading. He also loved his time at their home at Lake Almanor with family and good friends. He taught his sons-in-law and grandchildren the art and love of fishing, traveling the logging roads and exploring all the beauty that that area offers.
All who knew Steve know he lived life with a definite sense of humor. If you were fortunate enough to know him well you also know he was a deeply sensitive man with a strong sense of patriotism and an ongoing interest in the state of the world.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, Community Food Bank of San Benito County, and The Kinship Center. Services will be held Wednesday afternoon @ 2:00 P.M.at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home,870 San Benito Street, Hollister.
Condolences may be sent to www.grunnagle.com
