Stephen “Steve” Nameth, 94, a long time resident of San Manuel, passed away Jan. 3, 2017 due to natural causes at the Casa de la Luz Hospice.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 37 years, Dorothy Virginia Nameth; and his eldest son, Stephen James (Jim) Nameth, Jr.
He is survived by his girlfriend of 34 years, Patricia Elodie Ahlgren of Tucson; son, Joseph William Nameth of Elko, Nevada; daughter, Sioux Adrian Nameth Payne of Alexandria, Louisiana; daughter, Laura Elizabeth Nameth of Phoenix; daughter, Virginia Rae Nameth Cannon of Oro Valley; grandchildren, Susan Nameth, Eric Nameth, Sara Nameth Stahl, Stephen Nameth and Cheyenne Cannon; and six great-grandchildren, Tatjana and Chayla Nameth, Gary, Dot, Silas and Ari Stahl.
Stephen was an avid book reader and excelled in school, skipping the 7th grade. Stephen and his wife Dorothy moved to Socorro, New Mexico where he attended the New Mexico School of Mines and received a degree in Mining Engineering. He joined the Army and served as a Military Policeman during World War II. He received an honorable discharge
His career in mining took him to many places in the United States ranging from the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and the deserts of Nevada , Arizona and New Mexico. In 1971, Stephen moved his family to San Manuel and worked for the next five years as the Assistant Mill Superintendent at Magma Copper Mine. He then moved the family to Carthage, Tennessee where he continued his mining career.
In 1981 Stephen moved with his wife to Christmas, Arizona where he worked for Inspiration Consolidated Mining. After the passing away of his beloved wife, Stephen moved to Elko, Nevada to work for Dee Gold Mining Company where he was employed until he retired in 1992.
He always had a great fondness for southeastern Arizona and at the age of 70 moved back to San Manuel where he enjoyed 24 years of retirement. He filled his days spending time with his “Sweetheart” Pat, and going for long walks with her in San Manuel and the surrounding desert. He was also an avid hiker and enjoyed many hikes with his friends.
Steve loved life and his family, friends and neighbors. On his 94th birthday, he was asked what the secret to a long life was and he said, “You just have to be happy.” As Hungarian was his first language and his father loved to sing, Steve also loved to sing in both Hungarian and English. He delighted his friends and family with his clever songs and riddles.
Service will be held at Living Word Church, 3941 W. Highway 77 in Oracle on Saturday, Feb.11 at 2 p.m. His ashes will be placed in the Veterans Cemetery in Marana. A reception will be held afterward for friends and family wishing to share memories and stories.