Obituary of James L. Steger

James Leonard Steger (82) went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on March 19, 2021. Jim was born in Cortland, NY to John Murray and Dorothy Wadsworth Steger, who preceded him in death. Jim grew up working on his father's dairy farm that he would eventually buy and operate in Preble. Jim graduated from Homer High School in 1958, where he started on Homer's only basketball team to win the NY state championship in 1956. Jim met the love of his life and wife of 58 years, Mary Sykes, at Preble Congregational Church. When he saw her for the first time, he proclaimed he was going to marry her. Jim loves Jesus and served His church in numerous capacities. Jim also served on Homer's school board and was the president of the local Farm Bureau. After serval years of successful dairy farming, Jim sold the farm for warmer pastures, and moved his family to Charlotte, NC in 1987. He started and operated Steger Home Improvement and worked many jobs with his sons. He thoroughly enjoyed working and did everything to the highest standard possible. He reluctantly retired in 2010 due to the limitations of Parkinson's. Jim loved God, his family, and his community. He enjoyed helping others, but never asked for help. He was always cheerful and anyone that knew him was impressed with his patience and kind spirit. He never complained, he just persevered even through the struggles of Parkinson's. Jim was preceded in death by his sister-in-law Paula Steger. He is survived by his beloved wife Mary; two brothers John, and his wife Cindy, Jerry; three sons Paul, and his wife Tamara, Kevin, and his wife Lisa, and Daniel; six grandchildren Jeanette Jones and her husband Mitchell, Micah Steger, and his wife Ivette, Caleb Shelton, and her husband Joshua, Shaleigha Holcombe and her husband Craig, David and Alexis Steger; and four great grandchildren Jules Holcombe, Ella, Maddox and Marcus Steger. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. His funeral services will be held at Preble congregational church on April 2nd, with visitation from 12:00 PM to 1:45 PM and a private service from 2:00 to 3:00 with Pastor Micah Steger officiating. Face covering and social distancing will be enforced. You can stream the funeral service directly at https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/james-steger or by visiting Wright-Beard Funeral Home, Inc. website and viewing James obituary and clicking on Live Funeral Stream. You may express your condolences at www.wright-beard.com. In lieu of flowers, please donate to either American Parkinson Disease Association or Preble Congregational Church.