Stephen “Steve” Kyle Verret, 62, of Fannett, passed away at home, in the arms of his wife, on Friday, March 11, 2016.

He was born September 27, 1953, in Port Arthur, Texas to Jack and Beverly Verret. When Steve was a toddler, he and his sister Vicki lived in Venezuela with their parents, where his father worked building refineries after World War II. When he was little, his family returned to Port Arthur, where he grew up. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1971. In 1979, he married the love of his life, Deborah “Debbie” Bowling Verret.

Steve was a third generation electrician, and a veteran member of the National Electrical Contractors Association. Until 2014, he and his father ran Stoneburner-Verret Electric Company on Proctor Street in Port Arthur, a family business that served Southeast Texas for 100 years. After closing Stoneburner-Verret, Steve worked in business development for Newtron Electrical Services in Nederland.

Steve was a loyal friend and mentor to many. He was a member and elder of First Christian Church, Port Arthur. He cheerfully served his community, whether it was through his church or by random acts of kindness.

Steve loved spending time on his land in Fannett, especially in his garden. His greatest love was the family he grew and diligently tended.  He is survived by his wife Debbie Verret, and their three children, Kyle Verret, and his wife Eleanor, of Houston; Allison Wright, and her husband Landon, of Bridge City; and Kaitlyn Goss, and her husband Justin, of Fannett.  God also blessed Steve with six grandchildren: Jaxson Wright, Joseph Verret, Jacob Goss, Mackenzie Wright, Alice Verret, and Blake Goss.

Steve is also survived by his sister Vickie Chase; his niece Ashley Molfino, her husband Marcelo, their children, Jasen and Jack; and his niece Jennifer Chase.

A memorial service to celebrate Steve’s life will be held at First Christian Church, Port Arthur, Saturday, March 19, 2016, at 1:00 p.m., followed by visitation at the family home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Port Arthur Higher Education Foundation, PO Box 310, Port Arthur, TX 77641.