Steve Damron 1953 - 2022

Walter Stephen Damron was born on January 15, 1953, in Martin, Tennessee, where he grew up as the eldest child raised by his parents, Angeline Fisher Damron and Walter Louis Damron, with his siblings, Randy and Dawne. After the unexpected death of his father, Steve, at age 14, assumed adult responsibilities that influenced his lifelong unflinching devotion to family. He was a member of the first graduating class from Westview High School in Martin in 1971. Despite hardship, he attended the University of Tennessee at Martin for his undergraduate degree. He went on to earn his advanced degrees in Animal Nutrition at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

Steve established a distinguished 40-year career of teaching and administration in higher education working at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Oklahoma State University and finally as Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Tarleton State University.

Steve influenced tens of thousands of students, directly through his teaching and the six editions of his widely used Introduction to Animal Science textbook and indirectly through his administrative work and leadership positions held on the campuses on which he worked.

Steve’s life demonstrated the quality of service to which he aspired. Not only did his immediate and extended family benefit from this strongly-held commitment, but every person in his sphere: students, faculty, staff and administrators respected his straightforward thinking, compassionate advocacy and strong leadership. Steve’s carefully crafted language and intentional actions showed that he cared for people and principles.

Steve’s agricultural interests were not only vocational but personal. His interest in genetics and his animal husbandry skills manifested in extraordinary adventures from developing parakeet and Gouldian finch colonies to earning numerous AKC championships for his Parson Russell Terrier breeding program. He was an avid gardener and amateur landscape architect. Every property he graced carries the spring legacy of cheerful daffodils, bulbs he broadcast each fall.

As important as Steve’s career was to him, his ultimate concern and value derived from his fierce love for and protection of his family. Every decision was first and foremost made to ensure not only the safety and security of his family but with the goal that everyone thrived. Characteristically, his final months and weeks were spent ensuring the well-being of his family and that each one was deeply loved and best prepared for the transition to life without him.

Steve is preceded in death by his father, Walter Louis Damron and his brother, Randall Fisher Damron. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca, son Joshua (wife Alexandra and daughter Magda), his daughter Aubryana Peterson (husband Cameron and children, Cooper and Georgia), his mother Angeline Fisher Damron and sister Dawne Damron Belote.

The sheer number of responses to his cancer diagnosis, updates to his journey, and his passing is a testament to his intellect, character, devotion to service, and the man he was. His positive impact on folks was wide and deep. His presence will be sorely missed.

A Memorial Service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Martin, Tennessee, on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at 3 p.m. with visitation time starting at 2 p.m. and private committal of ashes at Campground Cemetery following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Dr. W. Stephen and Dr. Rebecca L. Damron Endowed Scholarship at Oklahoma State University at the link www.osugiving.com/damron or by check mailed to

OSU Foundation,

400 S. Monroe,

Stillwater, OK 74074

With the indication: Damron Scholarship 21-47810

Paid Obituary: Murphy Funeral Home