Stephen Lee Peart

Stephen Lee Peart, 69, departed this earth to his heavenly home on May 9, 2023, at South Lincoln Medical Center in Kemmerer, Wyoming due to heart complications. 

Stephen, fondly known as Steve, was born to Richard Lee Peart and Christina Henreitta Peart on November 10, 1953 in Evanton, Wyoming. He spent his younger years pranking and creating mischief in Diamondville, Wyoming with his siblings and Diamondville friends. As a boy he would walk the top of Oyster Ridge and dream of building a log home on the east side of the ridge. He started working at the first J.C. Penney store while in high school and quickly became known as J.C. Peart to his friends and classmates. He graduated from Kemmerer High School in 1973.

While a senior at Kemmerer High School, Steve began working at the Kemmerer Coal Mine. He would start his day with a graveyard shift, would then attend school and sports practices before taking a long nap to start the graveyard shift again. He worked at the coal mine for 43 years before retiring in 2016. During his many years at the mine, Steve held numerous jobs but found most joy with his final position as a journeyman electrician.  He found great joy and satisfaction in solving electrical problems that would keep the production of coal to continue. He was dedicated to his job and had an exceptional work ethic. Steve was a devoted member of the United Mine Workers of America Local 1307. He had great appreciation for what the union stood for and the benefits that it so wholeheartedly worked for and provided to his family.

Steve married the love of his life, Majil, on April 18, 1986, in Diamondville. Steve and Majil both brought two children from previous marriages into this union: Rowdy, Natasia, Jami & Shelly. He and Majil built the beautiful log home together on the east side of Oyster Ridge; the one that he had dreamed of as a young boy. Steve was humble and would never boast, but he built the home himself. From rough construction to setting the logs to the plumbing to hanging the cabinetry to the finishing work. He was what his granddaughters often referred to as their favorite “handyman.” Steve and Majil lived in this home until 2018 after deciding to sell and move south for the winters. Steve loved and adored his wife.

Steve loved to watch his children’s sports games and support his daughter’s half-time dance routines. He had a booming voice that could often be heard as he gave his son, Rowdy, his fatherly football coaching from “the top of the pit” in the 90’s. He had fond memories of camping with his daughter, Shelly, and her family in the Big Horn Mountains making sure to cook a big wonderful breakfast of eggs over easy and bacon. He had a tender moment with his daughter, Jami, a year ago when they planted an orange tree together. He often would call and update her on the status of the tree. Steve loved his children, was a dedicated father, and taught them many life lessons. His daughter, Natasia, learned to hold a flashlight properly while helping him work on a projects which is a memory that she will forever cherish. 

During the month of September Steve’s presence at home, at work and around town was scarce as he spent the month up Dempsey bow hunting. This was Steve’s favorite place. He would come home and talk for hours about bugling and playing with the elk, what he saw and how he snuck up on the elk, what happened when the wind shifted or he stepped on a dead tree branch that spooked the elk and caused them to essentially “get away.” His love for elk hunting started with his dad taking and teaching him and Steve was able to share the love of elk hunting with his own children. He had many memories and stories of his time on the mountain, fly fishing the Hamsfork River, ice fishing Lake Viva Naughton and camping anywhere in Wyoming.

Steve was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He loved the gospel, the temple, the scriptures and strived to be like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He had different callings in the church throughout his life but found his greatest calling was as Ward Clerk in the Kemmerer 1st Ward with Bishop Destry Dearden. Steve excelled in this calling and his testimony of our Lord and Savior grew exceptionally while serving the people in the ward.

Steve is survived by his wife, Majil Peart. His children Jami Hitesman, Rowdy (Teresa) Wright, Shelly (Ryan) Araas and Natasia Diers. His grandchildren: Dax Wright, Paige Bartlett, Maddysyn Diers, Braelyn Diers, Krysten Brammer, Kayla Munro, Jeron Hitesman, Kindal Hitesman, Tyra Araas, Liberty Araas, and Caleb Araas, seven great-grandchildren his sisters Paula Fagnant and Patsy Peart and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, George Peart and Richie Peart, sisters, Peggy Peart, Lynda Sjoberg Rands and Nancy Long.

The “mighty hunter” has tagged his final game and returned to his Father in Heaven.