Stephen Jonathan Harmon Tobey

July  6th, 1957 • June  26th, 2024
Vanderwagen, New Mexico
Stephen Jonathan Harmon Tobey

Steve loved people and nature, and was proud of his service to his country.

Obituary

Born July 6, 1957 - Stephen (Steve) Jonathon Harmon Tobey, was born in Rochester, New York to Lindsay and Mary (Kinney) Tobey. Mary passed away during childbirth, but several years later Lindsay married Barbara (Justus) Tobey, who became Steve’s devoted mother. Steve was a happy little boy and was eventually joined by two siblings, Anna and Nathan Tobey. The family settled and was raised in Indianapolis, Indiana,

After graduating from North Central High School in Indianapolis, Steve enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he was assigned to the 73rd Calvary Regiment 4th Division, the 4/73 Armor Battalion.  In his second enlistment, Steve served in the 705th Maintenance Battalion, 5th Division.   He served proudly for five years and during that period Steve received ribbons for domestic and overseas service, a medal for Good Conduct, and achieved Sharpshooter status for pistols and grenades and Expert skill recognition for rifles.  He was stationed in Ft. Polk Louisiana, Ft. Bliss, Texas, and overseas at Panzer Kaserne Boblingen base near Stuttgart Germany.   

While in the service, Steve married and he and his wife Judy had two sons, Joshua and Mark Tobey. Later in his life, Steve married the love of his life, Sandy (Hilton) in 2003 and enjoyed married life with her until her death in 2020. Over their 17 years together, they lived in Reno, NV, Gallup, NM, and Chandler, AZ. Steve loved nature, animals, and his association with other military veterans. He also loved Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior, and attended Grace Bible Church in Gallup. Steve was also involved as a volunteer with Broken Arrow Bible Ranch and local Veteran groups. Always fascinated with horticulture and farming, Steve built a small aquaponic farming business, Leap of Faith Farms and enjoyed showing others his aquaponic techniques.

He passed away June 26, 2024, of natural causes, in Gallup, New Mexico. He was preceded in death by his mothers and father, and his wife Sandy. Survivors include sister Anna Whiteman, brother Nathan Tobey, sons -Joshua Tobey and Mark Tobey, and Joshua's wife Brooke, and their 12 living grandchildren including Austin, Christian, Benjamin, Emma, Josiah, Preston, Grace, Olivia, Hope, Maggie, Ezra and Micah.

A private military committal service took place on July 18, 2024.  Donations in memory of Steve can be made to Broken Arrow Bible Ranch (https://www.brokenarrowbibleranch.org/page/donate) and Grace Bible Church (https://gracebiblegallup.org/giving.)

Gallery

Videos

Memory wall

To all the friends and extended family of Stephen:   THANK YOU for visiting this memorial site and reflecting on Steve's life and memories.    Because he moved around a bit over the years, you may have known him only as a child, a young adult, a senior citizen, or anywhere in between.   Over his life, he lived on the east coast, as well as the west coast, in the north and also in the south.   His family thanks each one of you for your friendship, kindness, and compassion towards him.   Many of you extended great grace and patience as you loved, cared for, and assisted him.        We encourage you to leave positive comments and memories on this memory wall and to contribute photos you may have of him as well.


July 20, 2024
Hello, All! I am John Luginbuhl, Pastor of Grace Bible Church in Gallup, NM. Steve and Sandi attended Grace Bible Church when they lived in the Gallup area. It was a privilege for me to get to know both of them! After Sandi went home to be with Jesus, and Steve moved back to the Gallup area, I would speak with Steve at church, over coffee during the week at times and in my office. Steve was a unique man who loved Jesus and loved people (as well as his faithful service dog Dorie). He believed with all his heart - as I do - that Jesus - God in the flesh - is the only way to get to Heaven. Steve had trusted in Jesus as His sin-bearer and Saviour. He took advantage of every opportunity to tell others about eternal life in Jesus Christ. Certainly a great example to me! Steve is with Jesus now as well as with Sandi. For that, i thank the Lord! I continue to pray for all of the family members during these days. We believers in Jesus will see Steve and Sandi again!
JOHN WILLIAM LUGINBUHL
July 17, 2024
A few Tobey family photos ! Bless them ,LORD 👑🙏🏼
Rozalia Erhardt
July 17, 2024
We are Fred and Rozalia Erhardt. We first met Steve, through mutual friends , when he came from Reno NV to share at our Church in Elko NV in 2008 ! He was a Dreamer and a Teller of Tall Tales !! He was always working on several unfinished projects simultaneously !!
He loved Our LORD, Israel, his Lady Sandy, and his last dog, Dorie ! His main ministry was 🙏🏼 praying for others,even from a wheel chair or hospital bed. The pictures I share are from when he just got out of hospital after toe removal surgery and needed help,at his place in Vanderwagen NM, Dec - Feb 2021 ad . He was determined to show off his Sushi making skill after he was feeling better ! We are relieved that he is now, in Heaven : whole, healthy and in the Presence of his LORD 👑 and Savior Jesus Christ ✝️
Rozalia Erhardt

Family tree

Walter Tobey
Paternal Grandfather
Grace Tobey
Paternal Grandmother
Loyd Justus
Maternal Grandfather
Catherine Justus Maternal Grandmother
LIndsay Tobey
Father
Barbara Tobey
Mother
Sandi Tobey
Spouse
Anna Whiteman
Sister
Nathan Tobey
Brother
Mark Tobey
Son
Josh Tobey
Son
‹
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Anna Whiteman
Sister
Nathan Tobey
Brother
‹
›
Sandi Tobey
Spouse
‹
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Mark Tobey
Son
Josh Tobey
Son
Stephen Tobey

Favorites


What was Stephen's favorite Sport?
In his younger days, Stephen loved to swim and was quite accomplished in the open water with scuba diving and snorkeling gear. 
What was Stephen's favorite Travel destination?
Stephen LOVED the water and enjoyed the ocean, whether it was on Port Hood Island in Nova Scotia, Canada, where his father was from, or Half Moon Bay, California, where Steve resided for several years, living aboard a sail boat. 
What cause was important to Stephen?
Steve supported and participated in the Veterans Helping Veterans organization in Gallup.  He also supported and volunteered at Broken Arrow Bible Ranch in Vanderwagen.
Favorite Hobbies.
Stephen developed passion and skills in the area of jewelry making.  Over the years, he learned from some skilled craftsmen how to form gold, silver, and other precious metals into rings, bracelets, necklaces, etc.   He learned how to cut and tumble semi-precious stones and set them into jewelry pieces.  In the era of his life when he had the time, energy and means, it was not uncommon for him to present these items as gifts to family and friends.
Interesting Skills.
During his military service, Steve developed expertise with weapons and was a skilled marksman as well as technician.   Steve received uniform badges recognizing his "Expert" status. Once back in civilian life, Steve continued with the skill and enrolled in training courses to learn the commercial gunsmithing trade.  Steve opened a small arms repair and sales company and was licensed as a firearms dealer in several states.  He had excellent mechanical aptitude with small moving parts and extended that interest into locksmithing, where he also obtained training and certificates.

Service


A private military committal service was conducted, with honors, on Thursday, July 18th, at the Gallup State Veterans Cemetery, in Gallup New Mexico.  Steve would have been proud to see the color guard, hear the rifle salute and bugle playing Taps, and to see the careful folding and presentation of the ceremonial flag to his family.
Date/time
7/18/24
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