Steven Michael Daggett Steve was born in Santa Monica, California on March 15th 1957 to Dave and Louann Daggett. He grew up in his beloved hometown of Seal Beach. At age 5 his love for music was born when he learned to play the ukulele. At age 14 he received his first guitar from his Aunt Brenda. Steve was rarely found without an instrument in his hand. He was the first person to bring a guitar into his Southern California Church in the 70’s. He wrote, composed, collaborated on, recorded, and performed many songs in those days. Steve moved to Grants Pass in 1981. He soon began his teaching career at New Hope Christian School. He then spent several years from the late 80’s to 1999, teaching math and science at North Middle School. He was known best for his humor, compassion, wild antics and eclectic but effective teaching style. In 1998 he was hired as the Director of the Grants Pass High School Performing Arts Center. This job allowed him to combine his love of music and theater with his love for the technical craft of sound, light, and stage design. He was profoundly dedicated to the performing arts programs at GPHS and served the school district as well as the greater arts community selflessly for 20 years until his illness forced him to retire in 2018. In addition to his work in education and the performing arts, Steve served on the music worship team at River Valley Church for more than 25 years as a leader, guitarist, bass player, and as a lead media technician. He was ever willing to teach others and has left behind a legacy of many musicians and “sound guys” who are serving the Lord in our community and beyond. Steve and his wife Debbie were small group leaders and lead multiple short-term mission trips all over the world. Steve loved music and loved to travel which led he and Debbie to their first trip to Uganda in 2004. His many adventures took him to Uganda four more times, to Siberia, Honduras, and finally to Italy. All of this allowed Steve to serve God and to share his love for Jesus, people of all walks of life, and music. Steve was also well known for being the lead guitarist and a founding member of Grants Pass’ favorite local funk band ‘Funktional Fusion’. His nickname was “The Funky 1.” Steve is preceded in death by his father Dave and granddaughters Daphne and Hannah and two other grandchildren lost early in pregnancy. Steve is survived by his wife Debbie, the love of his life, who he married on November 12, 2002, his mother Louann, his sons Evan and Jase Daggett, their wives Jessi and Brentnie, his stepchildren whom he received as his own, Andee Trader and Jason Trader, Jason’s wife Millicent, and a brother Phil along with his wife Alex. Steve was a proud “Boppy” to his grandchildren, Eden, Char, Lydia, Alistair, Gideon, and Miriam. He was their world and they, his. He often boasted of how well his big family blended so well. Steve also leaves behind several aunts, uncles, cousins, dear friends, and many “adopted” children to whom he opened his arms as a father-figure, mentor, and friend. Steve was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis in February of 2015, just 6 short months after losing Dave, his father, to the same disease. On September 26th, 2018 he was given the gift of organ donation and received a new left lung. Despite his valiant and often wildly positive drive to live a full and healthy life, he lost his battle and was received into glory on September 6th, 2019 at Peacehealth Sacred Heart Medical Center in Springfield, Or. A memorial service, open to the community, to celebrate the lasting impact that Steve has left on all who knew him, will be held at Edgewater Christian Fellowship on Saturday November 23rd at 10:00 am, refreshments to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Asante Three Rivers Medical Center Emergency Department Renovation in Steve’s memory.