Stephen Andrew Vitatoe

Stephen Andrew Vitatoe

Stephen Andrew Vitatoe, 56, passed away at home, surrounded by those who love him, on June 12, 2004 after a brief, but valiant battle with cancer.

He was born March 4, 1948 at Rockwood, TN; the second of 3 sons born to Arval Thomas Vitatoe Sr. and Thelma Nadine Abston.

He went to school at Rockwood Elementary and High School. He received the Rockwood Scholastic Award, setting the record for attaining the highest scholastic scores ever received by an individual since his graduation from Rockwood High in 1966.

He enlisted in the United States Air Force before graduating from high school and received his training at Keesler AFB, in Biloxi, MS, where he held the position of a “Red Rope”. Upon further training in electronic warfare, he was assigned at Elmendorf AFB in Germany. In 1968 he was assigned to the 417th at MHAFB, ID. While at the MHAFB, he met and married Jo Ann Bessie Cramer on August 16th, 1969. The couple lived in Mtn. Home until shortly after their daughter, Stephannie, was born in 1970.

After a short break in service, he reenlisted into the USAF in March 1971 and was assigned to Sheppard AFB, TX, where he had cross trained into DSTE, then Norton AFB, CA where their son, Robert was born in 1972. Other places he was stationed: Thailand/Vietnam; Tinker AFB, OK; Misawa, Japan; and Loring AFB, ME.

He then cross trained into satellite communications at Ft. Gordon, GA; then was assigned to March AFB, CA, Shemya, AK; Griffis AFB, NY, and New Boston, NH. Msgt. Vitatoe retired from the USAF in 1987 and went to work for civil service as an AFETS at Wilder, Eglin AFB, FL and MHAFB, ID. He retired from civil service in May 2000, due to multiple medical issues.

He received the meritorious achievement medal in 1987, for his work on the “Star Wars” defense system with NASA. He also

received 2 meritorious service medals, 4 military commendation medals and multiple service and performance certificates while in the military. He received the Civilian of the Year award, while in the civil service at Eglin AFB. He did 2 tours in Vietnam during the war.

Steve loved to work on computers, he could make them do things they weren't meant to do much to the amazement of other people, and thereby received the nickname “Wizard”. He loved to sing and play the guitar, (he was lead guitarist in 2 bands) he loved the outdoors, tinkering with all kinds of electronics, fixing things, collecting guns and was an avid hunter and he loved a good challenge. He loved to BBQ as long as his niece Jenn and her husband Adrian, whom he had a close relationship with, tended the grills. He was like an armadillo, to those who didn't know the gentle underbelly. He loved the Beatles, an occasional bourbon and coke and Nascar. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and uncle, who will be remembered for his courage and wisdom and will be sorely missed.

Steve is survived by his devoted wife of 34 ½ years, Jo Ann; daughter, Stephannie Kobal; son Robert (Tammy) Vitatoe; 2 grandchilden Adam and Trinity Vitatoe; 2 brothers Arval “Tom” (Bettye Ann) Vitatoe Jr. and Larry Vitatoe; sisters and brothers in law, Oneita (Oliver) Carpentier, Betty Tyndall, Edna (Birl) Watkins, John (Rosalie) Cramer and Lena Cramer; a special niece Jennifer (Adrian) Carpentier, several nieces and nephews and his beloved fur baby, Maggie.

He is preceded in death by his parents; Arval Vitatoe Sr. and Thelma Vitatoe, mother and father in law, Harris and Bessie Cramer, 2 brothers in law, De Wayne Cramer and Raleigh Tyndall, a granddaughter Emberlin Jo Ann Kobal, and 2 nephews Alfred and Ronnie Carpentier.

A family viewing was held on Saturday, June 19th, from 1pm to 330 pm and the memorial service was followed at 4 pm, under the direction of Summers Funeral Home, Mountain Home.

He will be interred in the arms of his beloved Jo Ann in Mountain View Cemetery on Friday, June 27th 2025 at 1 pm.