Stephen Matthew Gager passed away peacefully on July 3,2016, accompanied by fireworks and surrounded by loved ones. He was 58. Stephen was born in The Hague, Netherlands on August 13, 1957; the son of Lem N. Gager and Yvonne M. Van Angelbeek Gager. Lem worked as an engineer for oil companies so Stephen grew up overseas, leaving the Netherlands at two for Saudi Arabia where he lived a happy childhood until age eleven when the family moved to Australia. He lived there until he was 15 and chose to attend New Mexico Military Institute as a boarding student. At age 17, he left and attended high school in Houston, Texas.
Stephen joined the Navy at 21 serving six years as an X-ray technician at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and as Head of Radiology in Portsmouth, VA and Dalgren, VA. He moved to Florida in 1985 where he enlisted in the Coast Guard. Stephen was active for four years before transferring to the Coast Guard Reserve where he served until his retirement in 2002
Stephen attended Hillsborough Community College. He earned an Associate of Science degree in Radiological Technology and, later, an A.S. in Radiation Therapy. He worked in the field around the Tampa/St. Petersburg area.
A lifelong Christian, Stephen spent long hours studying the Bible. He was an active member of Countryside Christian Center for many years and later at Harborside Christian Church. His friends and family were all recipients of his knowledge and insights. Stephen enjoyed woodworking, kitchen design; which he did professionally for a while, and house remodeling of all types. He could turn his hand to almost any project from roofing to tiling and flooring. He also loved to shop and had a keen eye for a bargain.
Stephen was married and divorced twice,. He was preceded in death by his parents, Aunt L:ois, Aunt Juanita, and Uncle Carem. He is survived by his brother, Raymond (Margaret) of Duncanville, TX, sisters, Karin Ylonka Wiggins of Tomball, TX, Bianca Gager Johnson (Bruce) of Sedgwick, KS and Yolanda Gager Hover (Jeff) of Midlothian, TX, nephews, Philipp and Brenden, nieces, Yasmine, Giselle, Sonya (Stephen), Trishia (Mike), and Megan, great nephews, Alexander, Bryce, Jackson and Kyler, and great nieces, Angelica and Ellyse, Uncles Shad, Tom and Anthony, Aunts Sophia and, Catherine and Joann, numerous cousins, his girlfriend, Catherine Swanson and several dear friends.
A Celebration of Life with a reception to follow will be held at 2:00 PM on July 16, 2016 at Harborside Christian Church, 2200 Marshall St, Safety Harbor, FL 34695. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials in the name of Stephen Gager be sent to Fisher House, PO Box 5005 (00FH), Bay Pines, FL 33744.