Stephen Ray Faubion, 82, of Salina, Kan., walked into Heaven on June 21, 2021, after a brief, yet multifaceted battle with cancer. Polio as a child, and post-polio later on, couldn’t slow him down from living a full and loving life with his sweetheart of over 61 years, Genene Kay (Barnard) Faubion, of the home. Steve’s greatest joy was making sure that the people he loved knew how much he truly loved them.
Steve, born on October 8, 1938, in Hutchinson, Kan., was the only child of Forrest Clyde Hugh and Muriel Caroline (Curtis) Faubion. He attended nearly every school in Hutchinson, graduating from Hutchinson High School in 1956. Steve attended Hutchinson Community College before majoring in Engineering at Kansas State University in Manhattan, where he and Genene started their family soon after marrying in Hutchinson on December 27, 1959.
Although he began working on the family farm, tinkering on cars, managing gas stations, and building homes at an early age; his professional career was as a Systems Design Engineer, beginning at CertainTeed in McPherson, Kan., then working until retirement at Premier Pneumatics, Inc. in Salina. Truth be told, he knew more than a little something about most anything, had done just about everything, and could figure out a way to solve nearly every problem. There was little that was not of interest to Steve; he enjoyed fishing, sailing, camping, photography, woodworking, racing, John Wayne movies, jazz music and played a mean sax to the delight of all who heard him. He developed a true sense of mischief in his early years, honing it over time. His sense of humor never faltered, so per his request, following cremation, his ashes will reside in a Chock full o’Nuts coffee can inside the glass hutch in the living room.
Steve led and mentored dozens of Boy Scouts through a myriad of adventures and is a Master Mason of the Salina Blue Lodge #60. He was generous with his experience, wisdom, laughter and love through multiple charities and organizations, including as an active member of Belmont Boulevard Christian Church.
Steve (Papa) is survived by his wife, Genene; son, Jere Michael “Mike” Faubion (Charlotte Bowles), Abilene, Kan.; daughter, Pamela Beth Hargrove (Tom), Shawnee, Kan.; grandchildren, Caroline Marie (Faubion) Van Hyning (Richard), Olathe, Kan., Madison Beth (Hargrove) Dahl (Erik), Lenexa, Kan., Jaxon Thomas Hargrove (Mignon), Nashville, Tenn., Alyssa Beth Hargrove, Gunnison, Colo.; great-grandchildren, Adam Thomas Dahl, Arabella Joyce Van Hyning, Lillia Kay Dahl, and Axel Raynes Van Hyning; in addition to numerous other extended family and adopted family members around the globe. All of the above know without doubt, how much they were loved by Papa, and will live the rest of their lives passing on his joy.
A celebration of his life will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 26, 2021, at Belmont Boulevard Christian Church, officiated by Rev. Tara Thompson.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Steve’s name to an organization that is important to you, or to Belmont Boulevard Christian Church, 2508 Belmont Boulevard, Salina, KS 67401.