Steve Edwin Mccrea

Steve Edwin McCrea, 76, of Cedar Falls, died unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, November 16, 2023.

Born May 31, 1947 in Minnesota, Steve lived and was educated in several states and school districts before graduating from Cedar Falls High School in 1965. He attended the University of Northern Iowa and majored in history. It was the late 60's and the early 70's. He dropped out several times but still worked camera department jobs at Black's Department Store, Woolco, and as assistant manager at College Square Walgreen's.

Steve and Kathleen Staebell married at St. Stephen Catholic Student Center on College Hill, Cedar Falls on May 27, 1972. After the ceremony, they walked up the street to the Wesley Foundation for the reception.

Steve started his employment with Cedar Falls Public Schools in 1975. Highlights included teaching language arts and math at Holmes Jr. High. During that time, he completed a Master's in Gifted Education from the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley. Steve's mentor at Greeley was the late Dr. George Betts. It was now the late 80's and early 90's and he loved teaching. His grades improved radically and he was married.

He then accepted the position of instructor for ALPHA program for the Gifted at Cedar Falls High. He began his day with an early bird class for 10th graders followed by independent study for other students. After a few years, he became a co-instructor of the Language Arts and Enrichment course in the English Department. He was proud of the darkroom photography program he offered. On Wednesdays, he worked with ALPHA students and Cedar Falls City Hall Cable services to offer the live broadcast program Hotline. His classroom was a safe room for all students including LGBTQ. He was very proud of receiving a Gold Star Teacher Award. His greatest human talent was unconditional acceptance.

Steve was life-long fan of cartoon books, science fiction and fantasy, newspapers, movies, Yankees games, walleye fishing. His spring breaks as a teacher involved travel. In retirement, his favorite trips were to Alaska, Barcelona, all stops Mediterranean and everything Canada. He was a talented photographer, and raised prize winning Atlantic Giant pumpkins.

Retirement held a surprise. In his early 60's, nieces Shannon and Katelyn McClintock moved to Cedar Falls where they lived with Steve and Kathy prior to finding a new home with their mother. In college, they would often come back to stay for holidays and weekends.

Important affiliations included being a career member of the Cedar Falls and Iowa State Education, the Iowa Talented and Gifted Association, and the Democratic Party.

Steve is survived by his wife, Kathleen; sister, Bonnie Coffman; step-sisters, Dr. Margaret MacRae and Pam (Andy) Card; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Steve's current set of Siamese cats, Li and Mao, are already missing him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Joyce McCrea; sister, Connie Coffman; and step-sister, Pat MacRae.

Please join our gathering at the Western Home Diamond Event Center from 1-4pm, Friday, December 8, 2023. Dress is casual and there is additional parking in the back. There will be no church service or burial. His ashes will be scattered.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation on behalf of Steve McCrea to the Western Home Communities , Northeast Iowa Food Bank , or ThreeHouse Collaborative Campus Ministries .