[SEDXC] ''My Best Friend, Steve Shrader !'''

[mike combs]

The link in reference to Steve, WA4GOX, did not go thru correctly. So I am sending the text..
L. Stephen Shrader 




 

  
VIRGINIA BEACH - Lon Stephen
Shrader died Dec. 8, 2009 at his home of 23 years in the Thoroughgood
neighborhood of Virginia Beach. 

  
Born March 28, 1948 in South
Charleston, W.Va., he is survived by his wife of 31 years, Carol Mills
Shrader; son, Neal Paul Shrader of New York City; daughter, Michele Lee
Shrader of Carthage, Texas; mother, Pauline Neal Shrader of St. Albans,
W.Va.; two sisters, Carolyn Simpson of St. Albans, W.Va., and Sharon
Swigger of Conroe, Texas; a very special uncle, Donald L. Edwards of
Virginia Beach; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in
death by his father, Lon McCue Shrader. 

  
At an early age, Steve developed a
love for broadcast engineering and amateur radio. As a teenager, he
volunteered to do odd jobs at a local radio station if he would be
allowed to work with the chief engineer. His special talent in
electronics quickly propelled him up the industry ranks, and he
eventually became director of Broadcast Operations for Rollins
Communications in Atlanta, where his future wife Carol also worked. The
family later moved to Hampton Roads as a part of the media group,
headed by dear friend Paul Downs, which transformed a small country and



 

western radio station into 106.9 “The Fox.” 

  
When the station was sold in the
early 90s, Steve became a partner with friends Chuck and Bob Rippel in
the regional electronics repair firm Audio Video Service Labs. His
amateur radio interest led to a special partnership and the firm also
began doing business as Kenwood Service Center East. Steve then became
known across the country as “the” expert in the repair and operation of
that firm’s amateur radio transceivers. The business has been blessed
with many long term loyal employees who also survive and mourn Steve’s
loss. 

  
Steve loved computers, music,
taking his wife out to dinner, and restoring his boat “Steve’s Beach.”
He was a member of the Norfolk Chapter of the Sons of the American
Revolution. 

  
A memorial service will be held at
1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, at Old Donation Episcopal Church, 4449 N.
Witchduck Road, Virginia Beach, with a reception to follow. 

  
In lieu of flowers, the family
requests a living memorial in the form of book donations to the DAR
Library in Washington, D.C. To facilitate your donation, checks may be
made payable to the Lynnhaven Parish Chapter NSDAR, 5268 Albright
Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464. Cremation & Funeral Services of
Tidewater assisted the family. 



73's
Mike Combs - K4LMS