The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Orange James Stephen “Steve” Musslewhite was born April 12, 1962 in Orange and passed away June 11, 2009 in Orange. He grew up in Kirbyville where he attended school and worked at the co-op in his earlier adult years before moving back to Orange.  Steve was a mechanic by trade, but it was also his hobby. He never minded taking a look at the problem and took great pleasure in fixing things that nobody else thought could run. When he couldn’t figure something out mechanically, he called his Uncle Johnny or other relatives for advice. He learned his skills primarily from his Dad who according to Steve “could fix nearly anything” and passed that knowledge along.

Steve was a very likeable guy who always spoke to folks and made friends easily. He was a naturally helpful person who in the past few years volunteered regularly with the Orange Lions club, LCM Leo club and Orange Peel out car club.

Steve loved to play horseshoes and was a good player to have on your team. If you were a guest at their homeplace on Musslewhite hill in Kirbyville, you were always invited to join in a game of horseshoes. Steve loved nearly all types of music and loved to stump those around him who were listening to the song by asking who sang that song. It was tough to find a song that Steve didn’t know the name of the artist and sometimes a little bit of history behind the song. Steve loved to fish in the pond behind their house and at Rayburn with his brother-in-law Jimmy Dotson.

Steve’s family meant a lot to him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Louise McDaniel Musslewhite; his sister, Linda Denton; and twin sisters that died as infants.

He is survived by two brothers, David and Brian Musslewhite; a daughter, Shana Neal; two nephews, one grea-nephew, many aunts and uncles including two favorites, Aunt Trudie and Aunt Kathryn, lots of cousins, extended family and many friends.

Internment was in the Musslewhite family plot in the Magnolia Springs Cemetery. Pallbearers were best friends Gary Pearson, Jimmy Dotson; cousins, Paul Musslewhite, Adam Musslewhite; nephew, Jimmy Dotson Jr.; and friend, Erik Christopher.

Even though, at times, Steve could be his own worst enemy, he was good to his friends and family and will be missed by many. He was just Steve.