Stephen "Steve" Jones, born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1975, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 51. He was born to Stephen P. and Rosemary Jones and was raised in Linwood, New Jersey.

Steve participated in the Linwood Little League and the Linwood Panther football programs and later a standout running back for the Mainland Regional High School Mustangs, where he was selected to be a First Team Cape Atlantic League Running Back rushing over 1,000 yards. His athletic skills also extended into baseball as a catcher and was a strong wrestler. He attended Southern Connecticut State University and Rowan University, where he studied Business Administration and continued to play football. He also proudly served his country with the New Jersey Air National Guard.

Steve dedicated a decade of his life to North Love Baptist Church in Rockford, Illinois, where he faithfully served by helping build residential homes for men and women recovering from addiction in Chicago, led bible studies, and traveled on a mission trip to Peru to repair schools. He was an inspiring speaker, mentor, and loyal friend whose compassion and faith touched many lives.

Above all else, Steve loved his children. Ariana, Steven Kael, Liam, Joey, Bella, and Declan were the center of his world. He treasured the opportunities to coach, encourage, and cheer them on in soccer, football, wrestling, and baseball. His greatest joy came from watching them grow.

As a skilled builder, Steve took tremendous pride in his craftsmanship. Steve was a business owner who worked alongside his lifelong friend, Lou Deman—who became like a brother to him—Steve helped build countless homes in Ocean City, New Jersey, before the two reunited in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, where they continued building beautiful luxury homes together. Steve believed that quality workmanship reflected integrity, and he carried that standard into everything he built.

Steve's faith sustained him through many of life's most difficult seasons, yet those who knew him will remember his kind heart, generosity, unwavering loyalty, fierce protectiveness of those he loved, patriotism, sense of humor, and steadfast dedication to family and friends.

Steve was preceded in death by his beloved mother and fiercest supporter, Rosemary Jones.

He is survived by his father, Stephen P. Jones and his children, Ariana, Steven Kael, Liam, Joey, Bella, Declan; and Beth, his brother, Dean (Catherine) Jones; his sister, Nicole (Kevin) Morgan; his nieces and nephews, Savannah and Brooke Jones, and Bradley Freeman and Eli Morgan; as well as loving and supporting aunts (Helen, Diane, Betty, Dolores and Rosemarie), uncles (Tony, Joe, Bill and Walt), countless cousins, extended family members, and dear friends who loved him deeply and are heartbroken by his unexpected passing.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 31 at 4:30pm at Seagrove Baptist Church with a reception afterwards in the fellowship hall. Family and friends are invited to gather to celebrate Steve's life, honor his memory, and share in the faith, love, and hope that carried him throughout his life.