Obituary - John Steven 'Steve' Humphreys

Beloved husband, father, and papa John Steven "Steve" Humphreys, 57, passed away December 19th, 2022, in Turner, Montana.

Steve was born September 14th, 1965, in Palatka, Florida, to Steve and Ann (Howard) Humphreys. In 1969, Richard, Steve's brother, was born. They lived in Florida until they moved to Cupertino, California.

Shortly after moving to California, they moved to Hogeland, Montana, the same year. After living in Hogeland they moved to Hamilton, Montana, then back to California. In 1980, they all moved back to their forever home in Hogeland.

During his high school years, Steve worked for his Uncle Karl Humphreys on his custom cutting crew. Steve graduated high school in Turner, Montana in 1984. In January 1985, he joined the Navy. He was an aviation structural mechanic on the U.S.S John F. Kennedy. He left the Navy in June of 1987.

He moved back to Hogeland and worked for his dad at his shop, Hogeland Repair. This is where his career in bus driving began, filling in on his dad's route. In 1989, he leased the Hogeland Bar and managed that for a year. That year, he started dating his future wife, Denita Hamilton. He worked various jobs at this time with Allen Billmayer and R.T. Rassmussen.

In March of 1991, Steve and Denita were married at the Lutheran Church in Hogeland. After they were married, he went to work in Winnemucca, Nevada, driving truck for Arizona Pipeline. He worked there for a short time and moved back to Hogeland. He then took a job with Clarence Olson and Art Richman at Olson Ford in Harlem, MT. There he was a mechanic and shop foreman.

In May of 1994, their first son, Levi, was born. Steve began farming with Denita's dad, Dick Hamilton, in 1997. That same year in September, their second son, Tyler, was born. In August of 2004, his youngest son, Shay, was born.

He continued farming with his brother-in-law Doug Hamilton until 2020. He drove a bus during this time, and would work on farm equipment and anything else that would ever break down. In 2020, Doug retired and sold the farm. Steve and Denita then bought the bus and took over the route upon the retirement of Steve's dad. He also started working maintenance and driving the activity bus at Turner Schools. At the time of his death in 2022, he was working for his good friend Adam Billmayer at Billmayer Farms.

Steve was a very good mechanic and all-around problem solver. He worked on all of the farm equipment at Hamilton farms, fixed Denita's and all of his children's vehicles numerous times, and was always willing to help anyone and everyone. He was very close to a lot of people. He was very easy to love and he made sure everyone loved him. He has so many close friends, and he was looked up to by many of the children in the community. He loved his grandchildren, Harper and Jonah, with a love beyond measure.

Steve is survived by his wife, Denita, their three kids, Levi, Tyler, and Shay, his grandchildren, Harper and Jonah Humphreys of Havre, MT, his parents, Stephen and Ann Humphreys of Hogeland, MT, his brother Richard (Chris) Humphreys, his nieces Megan and Sydney, all of Colorado Springs, CO, nephew Nicholas Humphreys, active duty in Djibouti, Africa, his aunt Nancy Stevens of Ormond, FL, in-laws Doug (Fran) Hamilton of Hogeland, MT, and Yuma, AZ, Dixie (Mike) Teague of Turner, MT and Yuma, AZ, Danny Hamilton and niece Lexi Hamilton of Gardena, CA, numerous cousins, and a community of great friends.

Memorials in Steve's name may be given to the Blaine County 2 Ambulance, the Turner School Booster Club, or the charity of your choice.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of Wilderness Funeral Home in Chinook, MT. A memorial service will be held at the Turner High School Gymnasium Monday, December 26th at 11:00 a.m.. The family will hold a private burial at a later date at the Silver Bow Cemetery in Hogeland.