Obituary of Stephen Lee Schwettmann

Stephen Lee Schwettmann passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Friday, May 1, 2020, at the age of 85. Born on October 20, 1934 in Needville, Texas, he called Pearland his home for over 60 years. Those who knew Steve know that he was a strong man with a gentle heart. Hard work was instilled in him at a very young age. He grew up on a farm where he spent many summers with his family picking cotton. He joined the Air Force in 1953 and served in the Korean War, receiving the Korean Service Medal, United States Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal. As a young man, he had a variety of jobs, including bowling alley manager and heavy equipment operator for construction. But he found his life’s work on the road, forming his own company and driving an 18-wheeler truck carrying cryogenics and oilfield equipment across country. He routinely received many awards and accolades for his safety record, including a national award from insurance carriers for safety. Yes, Steve worked hard, but he played even harder! He was never one to turn down a cup of coffee at the coffee shop or a cold Lone Star on the driveway. For many years he and his family spent weekends, holidays and summer vacations RV camping – in small local parks all the way to Colorado. Starched Wranglers. Western shirt (with two pockets!). Cowboy boots and hat. These were the wardrobe staples you’d find Steve donning for much of his life – for work or play, in winter or summer. He loved Classic Country music, music festivals, two-stepping, Gunsmoke, Chevrolet trucks, fishing tournaments, barbeque cook-offs, Sausage with Egg McMuffins, Astros baseball, his faithful Daschund Gracie, and most of all his family and friends. He could be quite passionate and never backed down from a conversation regarding his beliefs. He rarely met a stranger; and if he thought you needed it, he’d give you the shirt off his back. Steve is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marilyn; daughter Deborah Marino, grandson Matthew and granddaughter Ashlee; daughter Andrea Goodwin and husband Daniel; son Tommy Schwettmann, wife Helen and granddaughters Jennifer, Brandy and Ashley; brother Gerald Schwettmann and wife Patricia; brothers- and sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews; and a host of other family members and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, August and Rosie Schwettmann, and two sons, Johnny Schwettmann and Stephen Schwettmann, Jr. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Steve’s honor to New Hope Church, 3640 CR 58 Manvel, TX 77578 or made online at www.newhopechurch.tv. A celebration of Steve’s life will be held on Friday, June 26 at 2:00 pm, at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 West Broadway, Pearland, Texas. A graveside service will follow on Saturday, June 27, at 10:00 am, at Immanuel Evangelical Church Cemetery in Needville, Texas.