Steven Craig Massey, born August 29, 1944, passed away at his home in Albany, Oregon, on May 31, 2025. Steven died of cancer after a short illness. Teacher, husband, father, fly fisherman, hunter, oilfield roughneck, and soldier, Steven lived a good life. Born in Hutchinson, Kansas, he attended schools in Nickerson, Hays and Elkhart, Kansas, where he graduated in 1962, He attended Fort Hays Kansas State College (now University) and earned a BA and MA from the University of Oregon. Steven served as an infantry first lieutenant platoon leader in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968. For nearly two decades he taught elementary school in Eugene, Oregon where he was also a realtor and owner of Franchetti’s. Steven was a city councilman for Rainier, Oregon, from 2012 to 2020.
Steven was the third of six children of Leo and Neva (Belden) Massey. He married Sandra Crutchfield of Goodland, Kansas, in 1969; they divorced in 1972. In 1980 he married Rita Kendrick. The parents of two sons, Abram of Whitefish, Montana, and Joseph of Springfield, Oregon, they divorced in 2002. In 2008 he married Joy McWilliams. He is also survived by siblings Kathryn Joy and Garth Massey of Portland and three grandchildren.
From boyhood Steven was an avid angler. (No one could cast more beautifully.) His well-trained bird dogs were his best companions, along with many close friends. Steven was gregarious, patient, sincere, and an avid reader who kept up with current events. To say he will be missed only begins to express how his loved ones feel.
Donations in Steven’s name can be made to Sierra Club Oregon.