Stephen Ellis also known to many as, Big Steve, was only 43 yrs old when he left his beautiful family and host of loving friends on 9/8/2021. He is survived by his wife Amanda, his two sons Justin (14) and Travis (12), his mother, Lucille Ellis, younger sister, Melanie and husband Clint McLain, in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins and numerous nieces and nephews.

Big Steve was born in Houston, TX on 1/7/78. He grew up in nearby Spring, Texas where his parents, Lucille and Wendell, settled. His dad, who precedes his son in death, served in the Air Force, a particular source of pride for Stephen. When Big Steve was Little Steve, he enjoyed making car models, riding bikes, building and running remote control cars, playing GI Joes then playing Little League baseball and watching slapstick comedies. Growing up, he and his sister loved going with their mom to their grandparents' home for Pasta Sundays and spending quality time with their grandmother, aunts and their families.

Stephen played football at Twin Creeks Middle School before attending Spring High School where he became a member of the FFA. Trucks and a love for Outlaw country music rounded out his teen passions. Stephen graduated from Spring High in 1996 and worked some odd jobs until 2003 when he then started at Shell Oil as a lab technician. That same year, Steve met the love of his life, Amanda. In 2006 Amanda and Stephen moved back to the street he was raised on, Pepper Ridge Lane and have been raising their boys there ever since. Stephen started coaching their boys in Little League at Northwest 45 where he'd played.

Stephen had a love and talent for processing meat. That love and talent began when Stephen would spend countless hours learning the trade from his Uncle John (whom he loved and admired greatly). The talent that he had developed turned Stephen into an avid BBQ smoker, stiff competition with his ribs, chicken, and briskets at cook-off events. He loved hosting his annual "Big Steve's Crawfish Boil" at home and unapologetically beating everyone in cornhole against background music of good ol' Texas Country. He volunteered for the Shell Emergency Response Team, excelling in his training of fire-fighting and step-climbing (completed 9-11 Stair Climb Challenge: 110 floors / 2,071 steps). Big Steve will always be remembered for his kindness, selflessness, sense of humor, and ready helping hand. He was that special friend, brother, son, uncle, nephew,

neighbor, co-worker, coach, husband, and father who will be missed by all that were so blessed to be in Big Steve's large and loving life.

"The meaning of life is to find your gift; the purpose of life is to give it away (Picasso)."

Arrangements

Visitation: 5pm-8pm on Thursday 9/16/21 @ Klein Funeral Home, 1400 West Main Street, Tomball, TX

Funeral: 1pm arrival; 2pm service on Friday 9/17/21 @ Klein Memorial Park, 9714 FM 2920, Tomball, TX