Stephen James DeLoach

Captain Stephen DeLoach, U.S. Navy (Retired) was called to his final duty station on August 27, 2026. He was a Catholic family man and a retired Naval officer. Steve was born in Chicago, IL to Hugh and Ann DeLoach in July 1941. His family moved to Savannah, GA when Steve was one year old. He graduated from Savannah's Benedictine Military High School in 1959 and the University of Georgia in 1963. He met the love of his life and soulmate, Jennifer Lynne Hammock, and they were married in 1963 at the historic Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist in downtown Savannah. After graduating from Navy Officer Candidate school in June, 1964, Steve and Jennie began a lifetime of travel to naval duty stations around the world. Their travels took them from Newport to San Diego, Norfolk, Jacksonville, Charleston, Mechanicsburg, Washington, D.C., Pensacola and even a tour in Tehran, Iran. Jennie was a dutiful naval wife and they moved their family 19 times during their lives together, ending in Fairhope, AL in 2021.

Steve began wearing a naval uniform when he joined the Naval Reserve in high school in 1958. He served on multiple Naval ships, reserve and active duty in USS Union(AKA 106), USS Oglethorpe (AKA 100), USS Suribachi (AE 21) and USS Canopus (AS 34). Steve spent his first three years in the Navy as a line officer and was a Boat Group Commander in Vietnam, before transferring to the US Naval Supply Corps. He retired from active duty in 1992 but still wore his uniform daily as an NJROTC instructor until his second retirement in 2003. In addition to those 45 years, Steve wore his naval uniform proudly to his grandchildren's school Veteran's Day ceremonies. 

Steve loved to fish and spent many hours bass fishing with his brother, John. They were both college football fans and loyal supporters of their UGA Bulldogs. Steve also kept in close contact with his 55 high school classmates from BC. They walked as a class in the Savannah St. Patrick's Day parade for many years in conjunction with an annual class reunion in Savannah. Among Steve and Jennie's favorite times were the more than 20 years of summertime family beach vacations with their children and 5 grandchildren on Tybee Island, GA. Steve and Jennie were dedicated parents and grandparents, never missing an opportunity to support and cheer them on from every sideline, at every sport, at every event. 

Steve was an active member of his local parish's St. Vincent de Paul conferences (St. Theresa's in Summerville, SC, St. Anne's in Pensacola and St. Lawrence in Fairhope). Steve is preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Jennifer, and his sister, Diane Andrews (Bob). He is survived by his two children, Jason DeLoach (Shelley), and Lisa DeLoach Trotter (McLean), his 5 beloved grandchildren (Matthew, Patten, May May, Rachel, and Stephen) and dear brother, John DeLoach (Linda). 

A funeral mass to celebrate Captain Stephen DeLoach will be held at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Fairhope, AL on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 11:00 am. A visitation will proceed mass at 10:00 am at the church, and lunch to follow the service also at St. Lawrence. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations to be made to Benedictine Military School in Savannah, GA at www.thebc400.com in Mr. DeLoach's honor.