Steve Bassett (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Steve Bassett, age 75 of Bolivar, Missouri departed this life on Saturday, January 18, 2014 at his home in Bolivar.
He was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was born Cecil Glen Blackman Jr. His biological parents were: Cecil Glen Blackman & Viola Bartlett Blackman. He had two biological siblings: Joyce Estella Blackman & Kenny Leroy Blackman. He was united with his sister Joyce at his high school graduation. They were close until her death on Jan 9, 1982. It has always bother Steve that he was unable to locate his younger brother Kenny. He finally accepted the fact that he did not realize he was adopted as he was only four years old. They were both adopted from the Annie Wittenmyer Orphanage in Davenport, Ia. in May 1947. Steve was raised on the East side of the state of Iowa. Kenny is believed to have been raised on the West side of the state of Iowa around Sioux City.
Steve’s adoptive parents were: Theodore W & Mabel Bassett. He spent his whole life serving the Lord through his gospel music; He was saved at a Billy Graham Concert at the age of 8 years old. Steve graduated from Edgewood High School, Edgewood, Iowa on May 16, 1957. He was always proud that his diploma was presented to him by his father who was president of the school board. He was secretary of his high school senior class.
Steve was in the Jr ROTC in high school for the Navy. Upon graduation from high school he was accepted into the Air Force. He used to say for one day he was in two branches of the service. Steve served his county from 1957 until 1967. He was stationed in Coos Bay, Oregon. He was a navigator flying many missions. His nickname "Steve" came during his time in the Air Force. He always wore a white scarf around his neck which simulated a character in the comics, Steve Canyon. At first they called him Capt. Canyon and later that was dropped and it became "Steve".
Steve then spent 20 years as a coast to coast truck driver. Next Steve attended college in Colorado for law enforcement. He then worked on the Governor’s Law Enforcement Task Force. He had to retire from this in 1992 due to the onset of glaucoma. He then came to Missouri to pursue his career with his gospel singing. He followed Billy Graham and worked with him bringing special music to his services. He also did nursing home ministries and sang at other functions all his life. When it made it to Branson he sang with Barbara Fairchild and then the Blackwood Brothers. He soon found out he preferred to sing as a soloist.
He then moved on to the travel business which he had a partner. He and his best friend, Russ had tours to many places including Branson and the Holy Land. His dream was to take Sue to the Holy Land before he passed. We did not make it though.
He met Sue (the love of his life) in the winter of 2004. They immediately were drawn together after just a few months. She told him their meeting was “Divine Intervention”. She later told him her last name was Divine. He then decided she was the one for him as he wanted someone with a sense of humor. Hobbies: Bass vocalist, pianist, travel, fishing, cooking, family and friends. He enjoyed cutting his own gospel music album in 1991.
He is survived by his wife; Sue Bassett of the home, step sons; Russell Divine and his wife LaDon and Danny Divine, a step daughter; Kim Williams and her husband Jeff, 5 step grandchildren; McKenzi Divine, Skylar Divine, Cassidy Williams, Wyatt Williams and Weston Williams all of Hartville, Missouri, and one brother; Sheldon Bassett of Wheaton, Illinois, Aunt; Alice Coles of Wichita, Ks, special cousins; Patricia Woolf of Wichita, Ks and Cathy Hart of Stanton, Ia.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church, 407 W. Broadway, Bolivar, Missouri or the Little Creek Cemetery Fund.
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