Dr. Stephen Lorn Castleberry

Dr. Stephen Lorn Castleberry, 77, of Hot Springs passed away on May 29, 2017. He was born Sept. 1, 1939, in Newport, Ark., the eldest son of the late Woodrow and Martha Castleberry. He was a 1956 graduate of Newport High School and a 1960 graduate of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He received a master's degree and a doctorate degree from Memphis State University. His career in education included dean of Eagle University at Ft. Campbell, Ky.; dean of Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn.; principal of Arkadelphia High School and superintendent at Warren and Newport High Schools, all in Arkansas. While at Eagle University, he was the first director of a seven-college consortium that worked to improve education for military members. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity at the University of Arkansas and also named a Paul Harris Fellow for his service in Rotary Club International. After retirement, he and his wife, Becky, moved to Hot Springs. Their Caroline Acres home became known as "Hot Springs Disneyland", as the highlight of the next 20 years was loving their four grandchildren: Sterling, Woody, Alex and Rich. If retirement is measured in how deeply the grandchildren are loved, Steve's was the best. When he wasn't helping grow grandkids, he was a Master Gardener and volunteered at Garvin Gardens from its inception. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Becky; son Steve, his wife Terry and son Sterling of Heber Springs; son Mike, his wife Alecia and sons Woody, Alex and Rich of Little Rock; brother Kenny, his wife Jamie and daughters Virginia and Marty; brother Woody, his wife Melissa and sons Casey and Lindsey; sister Nan Cox, her husband Ed and sons John and Eddie; sister-in law Brenda Albright, her husband Sam and daughter Beth; brother-in-law Charles Hemenway and his wife Gloria, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother Virginia Castleberry and niece Sonya Blais. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m., June 1 at the Gross Funeral Home chapel, 120 Wright St., Hot Springs, Ark., with the Rev. Sam Albright officiating. Memorials may be made to the Arkansas Children's Hospital. The online obituary, guestbook, and memorial tribute are available at www.GrossFuneralHome.com.