Steve Thomas of Southern Shores NC - More Than A Local Celebrity

 This was clear to those of us who knew Steve Thomas - he was amazingly different from his peers.  Modeling and DJing aside, Steve had layers of characteristics that took time for us to discovered.  Outwardly he was a performer.  Inwardly, he was a caring human being, a devoted father,a loyal friend and a beach lover as well as a man of service.  I remember the first time I met Steve.  He was in the Food Lion with his daughters in tow.  To call him Mr. Mom would have been too limiting; he seemed to be their whole world.  As the years passed, he continued in this role no matter what other circumstances developed in his own life.  He was a daily presence in their lives, an integral part of their growing and learning, of their sports and music.  But wait, there is more.  Steve spread his love for life, children, music, sports and friends all over the Outer Banks.  The Outer Banks organizations that have been the receipents of his largess are numerous.  Rarely did he turn down an opportunity to make even one child smile.  I think his lust for living coupled with his ability to be comfortable with himself created a magnet for young people.   He had the qualities we admire in small children who have not yet learned that life can serve up disappointment and hurt.  That is not to say that Steve was childish.  To the contrary, he took his responsibilities seriously.  When Steve made a commitment to be somewhere, he showed up.  If he promised his help, he never let you down.  But he did this with the joy and zest one finds in the youngest among us.  And with lots of energy!

I think this was Steve's real gift.  Yes, he was a successful model in New York, an actor, singer and entertainer.   But he accomplished these things BECAUSE he was able to see the joy in the day, the excitement in a good wave, the light in the eyes of everyone.  He was aware these qualities existed around him, unlike most of us who rush through the day missing the very aspects of life that lift us up.

When it came to children, he missed very little.  A quick story about his caring attention to my granddaughter, a 4 year old whom he had not met before this incident.  Lucinda is afraid of mascots; of anyone dressed up or costumed as some one or something they are not.   She becomes very distressed and uncomfortable.  At a Dare Devils game this spring Steve was playing Pamlico Jack with his usual enthusiasm when he noticed her behavior.  My son and daughter-in-law decided to take her away from the game and began walking to the parking lot.  About half way there Steve came up behind us to say hello.  He spoke directly to Lucinda in the softest voice, but still in character as the great pirate.  In a few seconds she was laughing, no longer apprehensive, and enjoying herself in spite of her fears.  Then he said goodbye and walked back to the stadium leaving a little girl with a happy memory of the evening.  What a gift that was to my family!

Steve showed me what it means to be yourself no matter what, to follow your dreams, and to really care about others.  This is what will be sorely missed on the Outer Banks.  I know of no one who can fill this void.  Steve was one of a kind in every aspect of himself.   He was Steve The Dream, Steve The Dad, Steve The Friend, Steve The Son and Steve The Amazing Example of what it means to be totally true to oneself.  He always looked to see what was needed and tried to provide it.  Just ask any of the hundreds of people who streamed into Kitty Hawk United Methodist Church tonight to share their love of Steve with his family.  They all know we have lost the rarest gift on the beach.