Stephen (Steve) Mcpherson

Stephen (Steve) Patrick McPherson was born on November 4, 1952 and peacefully went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 11, 2019 surrounded by his loving family.

He grew up in Des Moines, Iowa with his parents and older brother Mike. Steve loved flying, tennis and playing his guitar to lead worship. Upon graduation from high school he proudly earned his single engine flying license and would often say there was nothing more exhilarating than being in the air, flying solo. He and Mike played fierce competitive tennis growing up and during college Steve continued winning many tournaments and awards.

He attended Grandview Junior College before finishing his History degree at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. After two years of being involved with The Navigators at Iowa State and studying a book called The Measure of a Man by Gene Getz, he felt God calling him to full-time ministry.
Working back in Des Moines the year between his graduation from Iowa State and attending Dallas Theological Seminary, he met his wife Sally, his “Sweet Sally” and the love of his life. On August 6, 1977, they began their sacred journey together, a marriage defined by unwavering love, dedication and a commitment to walk alongside other couples. They have been blessed with two sons, Ben and Dawson.

Upon graduating from DTS in 1981, Steve began his 30 plus ministry years, first as the Student Pastor at Fellowship Bible Church serving together with Gene Getz. In 1989, Steve and Sally felt a call to join a previous co-worker, Mel Fehr at Westwood Church in Prince George, BC, Canada. Aside from rich and blessed student and adult ministry years in Canada, Steve and his family grew to love camping and all things outdoors in the beautiful Canadian Rockies. They would have never dreamed that God would bring them back to Texas, but after 6 years, Steve joined the Fellowship Bible Church North staff once again first as the Outreach Pastor and then transitioning to what would be his last ministry role and the one, he felt most deeply about – Pastoral Care. After discovering he had a brain tumor in 2012 with ensuing medical challenges, he retired from ministry.

As he began the last years of his journey, he was determined to find joy and this verse became his anthem. James 1:2- 4, Consider it pure joy, my brethren, whenever you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Endurance has finished its work and because of the saving faith that Steve put in Jesus Christ, he is now complete and lacks nothing. He is walking with Jesus.

Steve is survived by his wife Sally of 42 years; son Ben (Taryn) McPherson and granddaughter Ivy; son Dawson (Rachelle) McPherson; brother Mike (Sally) McPherson; mother-in-law Vivian Sundblad; brother-in-law Phil (Brenda) Sundblad. Steve is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. He is preceded in death by his father Robert Talmadge McPherson, mother, Helen Ruth McPherson, father-in-law, H Dean Sundblad and brother-in-law, Tom Sundblad.

The celebration of Steve’s life will be held Saturday, March 16, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. at Chase Oaks Church, 281 Legacy Dr, Plano, Texas 75023 with Pastor Jack Warren and Dr. Gene Getz officiating.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers contributions be made in Steve’s name to Strong Marriages 5999 Summerside Dr Suite 106 Dallas, Texas 75252 or 972-774-1400 or www.strongmarriages.com