Gary Steven "Steve" Lindsay
January 9, 1947 ~ November 25, 2020
In 1963, a girl met a guy…….and the story began. He played JV basketball, so she became a cheerleader. They went to football and basketball games and proms. They went camping and fishing and water skiing. Oh, how she loved him! And she loved his mom and dad, and his Aunt Doris and Uncle Damon, and cousins Cheryl and Cindy. Her family loved him, too. He went away to college a year ahead of her, and she planned to go to a college nearby to be close to him. In May 1969, they married. In July 1970, they had a son and named him Damon, hoping he’d become a fine person like his Uncle Damon. In May 1978, they had a sweet little daughter and named her Amy Elizabeth…Elizabeth after her mom’s dearest friend, Betty, born on the same date! And so, Steve and Nancy enjoyed their years together, working hard to make a good life for themselves and their children. Steve loved his family, and the love grew as Damon chose Alysia for his wife, and Amy chose Adam for her husband. Soon grandchildren started coming. Damon gave them Aidan and Kate. And Amy gave them Lily, Ryan, Julie and little Damon. How very blessed they were!
Steve worked in the food broker business for many years, and Nancy worked for the Government. Later, Steve went to work with his cousin, Cheryl, and her husband, Ron, providing operational support for their foster care agencies. Some years later, Steve, Ron, and another partner, formed Legacy, Inc. providing operational support for many foster care agencies.
In 2004, Steve and Nancy were able to buy a house at Smith Mountain Lake, where they had vacationed for many years. They both retired in 2008, so they could spend more time at the Lake, but Nancy continued to work part-time as a consultant for the Government. She would work her 4 days in northern VA, and then they would spend 10 days at the Lake. Steve loved being at the lake, fishing, sitting on the porch……so peaceful and relaxing.
And the dogs they had throughout their lives?….Duchess, Red, Penny, Maggie, Brandy, Katie, Penny2, and, now, Belle…..Steve loved his dogs and they loved him! Other loves? Bluegrass music, country music (particularly the old timers), old Westerns, and….I know you won’t believe this…..Hallmark movies! And he loved cooking things in his smoker, and hosting dinner for friends.
Fifty-seven years later, the girl and the guy are still in love, and meet each other in their dreams……..
We’d love to hear memories you might have of Steve.
Steve worked in the food broker business for many years, and Nancy worked for the Government. Later, Steve went to work with his cousin, Cheryl, and her husband, Ron, providing operational support for their foster care agencies. Some years later, Steve, Ron, and another partner, formed Legacy, Inc. providing operational support for many foster care agencies.
In 2004, Steve and Nancy were able to buy a house at Smith Mountain Lake, where they had vacationed for many years. They both retired in 2008, so they could spend more time at the Lake, but Nancy continued to work part-time as a consultant for the Government. She would work her 4 days in northern VA, and then they would spend 10 days at the Lake. Steve loved being at the lake, fishing, sitting on the porch……so peaceful and relaxing.
And the dogs they had throughout their lives?….Duchess, Red, Penny, Maggie, Brandy, Katie, Penny2, and, now, Belle…..Steve loved his dogs and they loved him! Other loves? Bluegrass music, country music (particularly the old timers), old Westerns, and….I know you won’t believe this…..Hallmark movies! And he loved cooking things in his smoker, and hosting dinner for friends.
Fifty-seven years later, the girl and the guy are still in love, and meet each other in their dreams……..
We’d love to hear memories you might have of Steve.
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Gary Steven Lindsay. I can’t remember a day that he wasn’t my hero. Whether vacationing together over the summers at High Rock Lake, celebrating Christmas, or spending long weekends together, our families were inseparable. Steve and I had more than a few grins as to why his parents named him Gary Steven and called him “Steve” and why my parents named me Donna Cheryl and called me “Cheryl”, but it surely made me proud to be like Steve. Steve, Cindy, and I spent countless hours transcribing song lyrics to sing with Dad and his guitar. When Steve married his childhood sweetheart, Nancy, Cindy and I gained a sister. “Little” Damon and Amy came along, and we felt like our family was complete. Ron and I were blessed to get to work together for many years with Steve and greatly benefited from his wisdom which came from a place of loving and helping others. Steve’s command of the English language was unmatched. His clever sayings have become endearingly known as “Steve-isms” around the office, and referenced often. I think hosting was one of his favorite things. Steve always had a “plan” with his visitors’ interests at heart. Whether enjoying exquisite cuisine, activities, music, or shows, you always felt special and at home with Steve and Nan. Steve spent a lifetime loving others, and he continues, to love well. Oh how we love our Steve.
Oh, Steve, my dear friend! I miss you already! So many years just knowing you were there . . . I found our conversations to be stimulating, instructive, and when necessary–which wasn’t seldom–comforting. That deep, soothing voice saying: “No’s an answer;” “How big do you want to get?” And scores of other “Steve–isms, said more in a short phrase than a whole book could convey. All that time I spent with you and Nancy in the warmth of your home and on the phone with you made me a better man. And I love you for it; I’ll ALWAYS love you and cherish our friendship, which was “closer than a brother.” See you soon and we’ll talk for a long time. Ron
Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts. He will be missed by all.
Steve was a wonderful man who I will miss dearly. He was always more concerned about how you were doing than himself. I will miss his warm smile and his grin! He was my friend and roofing buddy from way back, along with my brother Nick. Steve and Nancy raised 2 wonderful children that they can be proud of. Rest In Peace. Greg Summers
Our sincere condolences to Nancy, Damon, Amy and the rest of the family. Steve was a truly great husband, father and person. We have been fortunate enough to have enjoyed true friendship with Steve and Nancy since our high school days, even though we left the area in 1969. Whether we were at his parent’s home, the house on route 237, Captain Pell’s Crab House, their Herndon home or the lake getaway we always had a wonderful and relaxing time. It didn’t make any difference when we had last spoken or been together, we picked up where we had left off. We enjoyed our conversations, pinochle games (Steve was a good sport, but we expect that he would rather have been fishing), Nancy or Judy’s meals and, last but not least, Steve’s masterful grilling. We would be remiss if we didn’t include my late brother, Richard, who had a long loving friendship with Steve and Nancy. If there was ever a couple that were meant to spend a lifetime together it was these two as they truly complimented each other. Steve will be greatly missed!
It’s hard to pick out thoughts and memories when you have so many. I think my fondest memories were mostly related to the family gatherings. Watching the kids/ cousins grow up together always warmed my heart. A few guitars and Steve on the washboard bass made for a sing-a-long the Grand ‘ole’ Opry would have loved to have on their stage. So, so many memories it would be impossible to share in this space available. Family being the theme for most of my memories. Great brother-in-law, partner in horseshoes and friend left us way too soon. God bless you. Your legacy lives in your wonderful family. Nick Summers (UN).
Thinking of all of you at this sad time. I am grateful for the times I shared with your family over the years. How lucky was I to have bought the house across the street from Linda & Bob! What a beautiful tribute to Steve and a wonderful video you have for all of us to see. I so enjoyed all of the pictures. Steve, rest in peace dear friend, I will truly miss you. Mary
My sincere sympathy,
What a good, good man. He loved our family so well and is so dear to each of us. I’ve always been, and remain, so proud to share a name with the Lindsay family. Sending so much love to you all.
Where do I start. I first met Steve and his wife Nancy the first week of January 1981 when I was moving into my first home on Bull Run Mtn. Having Steve and Nancy as my neighbors was an incredible experience during the four years that I lived on the mountain before being transferred to Georgia. Steve gave me critical guidance with my first McCulloch chainsaw and was always willing to help out. Over the last forty years my friendship with Steve and Nancy grew into a very strong bond; one that I will always cherish. Steve and I were always on the same page on most issues and Steve always had positive or negative experiences with the same consumer products that we purchased. He was always a year ahead of me on most consumer goods. Yesterday I was thinking of him while I was shopping at Lowes in Porters Neck, NC. I was passing a display of pellet smokers and I thought that was the one Steve had recommended that I purchase. The world will never be the same now that Steve has gone to heaven. Rest in Peace Brother; I’ll miss you. Garry Farquhar, Wilmington, NC
This has been especially hard to write about even harder to accept. My memory of Steve has always been one of grace, acceptance, humor, and bit cankerous which is not a bad thing. Mostly I remember his open heart as he welcomed us into his family. We did not have a lot of family in VA so when Adam married into the Lindsay/Austin clan we gained family and friends that exceeded all our expectations, from visits to their lake house to being included in family events. Through it all Steve was there, a quiet presence (for the most part) welcoming friends and strangers alike. He was from a generation of men who lived by the motto of “getting things done” and a willingness to give you the shirt off his back. Hs gruffness was always tempered with love, I never heard him say a bad work about anyone. He will be missed but his memory will be a blessing to anyone who was fortunate to be included in his life. Rest easy Steve, your load has been lifted, and we ask you save a seat for us in your boat as you continue to float on calmer waters.
We will always remember your smile and warm sense of humor.
It has been many years since I have seen Steve and yet I can hear his laughter in my mind. I will always remember ‘trick’ dinners and Lake Anna fishing in the snow. Steve is the person who first for me interested in wine and it is a hobby I have developed over the years. I loved Steve like a father and I am heartbroken to find out about his passing just now. He loved fiercely, worked tirelessly and enjoyed life to the fullest. I am a better person for having known him. Steve, save me a seat at your table. See you again.
Nancy, sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. Wish we had stayed in touch. Claire passed in twenty twenty also. Ron Smith
Beautiful and touching love story Nancy!!! So happy you and Steve found each other and shared your love for so many years