Steven S. McMurtrey

Steve, You were my first love and will be my last love.  You loved me fiercely, told me so, each and every day.  Side by side, we went through life together, defeating all odds and naysayers… a young marriage.  Together we built our first house and raised our beautiful daughter, Tiffany, and together we grieved  her sudden loss 10 years ago.  Together we helped raise our incredible granddaughter, Siciliana, and together, we have watched her grow into an amazing, young girl who adores you.

Together we experienced grief after grief as family began to slip away.  But together we overcame and became stronger as a couple.  You were beside me, encouraging me when I became ill with M.S., just as I was beside you as we journeyed through the unknown world of kidney failure and dialysis.  Little did we know your heart was quietly suffering in secret, until your kidney tests led us to your failing heart.  You rallied through bypass surgery which gave us more time together.  You were a valiant patient, daily doing your home dialysis treatments, always sensitive to my needs.  You fought a good fight over the last years of countless blood tests, a barrage of medical procedures and surgeries.

You fought for me, for family, and for our Sicily.   Your heart gave you its best for as long as it could and eventually gave up.  You never lost your humor, you made me laugh every day, telling me I was beautiful, even when I was at my worst.  Our post kidney clinic visit dates will always be my favorite times, going to breakfast and finding new friends…  friends who have become abundant in our lives, loyal neighbors, always there to help, lifetime buddies always offering their time. Two families, from different backgrounds, brought together by a wise and loving God, who was the 3rd person in our covenant together.   Two families joined by love. 

To that guy I met on State Street 53 years ago, my Jackson Hole adventurer, my forever love, I am lost without you. But our precious Lord and Savior has you in His arms and has my heart in his hands, as He had your heart in his hands, till it’s very last beat.  Until we are together again, go fishing with Jesus. Your Tona.

Steve grew up in Murray and was the son of Connie and Chuck Crossen.  He dearly loved his only sister, Betty Carrington, who went to heaven, 10 years ago on the very day of Steves passing.

He joined the Utah Air National Guard in 1972 and served faithfully for 25 years. He retired as Master Sergeant.  Steve excelled in auto body repair and owned his small business after working at Kenworth Trucking.  He was a master at bringing new life to damaged vehicles. He then spent 20+ years working for Salt Lake City Corporation Streets Department, as a Snowfighter and Street worker.

Steve loved God with all of his heart and was a beautiful example of a down-home man with old fashioned values. He was a faithful parishioner at Saint Thomas Moore Catholic Church.

He loved all of his family and friends… too many to mention, you know who you are. Thank you for your love and support, throughout our marriage.  Thank you to the amazing nurses at IMC Heart and Lung Center who took care of Steve with abundant kindness. A special hug to our niece, Paige, who was with me up to the last breath.  And lastly, a big thank you to Wasatch Home Dialysis, especially our angel nurse, Paula, who taught us more than we ever wanted to know about kidneys and who sang funny songs to Steve while trying to poke his stubborn arms. 

A memorial service will be held for Steven on Monday, June 23th from 6-8 pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 S 900 E, Salt Lake City.