Stephen Bass

Stephen Wallace Bass, 77, of Charlotte, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, December 30, 2022 surrounded by his family.

Steve was born December 19, 1945, in Washington, DC, and was lovingly raised in Kenly, NC, by his parents, Wilbert William Bass and Elizabeth Tyndall Culbreth Bass.  Steve was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Betty Culbreth Edgerton and Gail Marie Bass Faucette.

In 1964, Steve met his soulmate, Janice Gail Brock, while attending Mount Olive Junior College.  They were married on June 25, 1965, at the bride's home in Mount Olive.  Steve and Gail became foster parents in 1981 and fostered 62 children over the course of 20 years.  During this time, they opened their hearts and home as their family of four grew into ten.  Steve loved worked in the trucking industry until his retirement in 2014 from ABF Freight in Charlotte.  Steve and Gail spent many weekends camping in Holly Bluff Campground, Asheboro.  Gospel music spoke to his heart.  Steve enjoyed attending gospel music concerts with friends and family.  He also loved sports, especially baseball (Go Braves!).  He was also a lifelong racing fan and loved NASCAR.  Steve dreamed of restoring his 1968 yellow Ford Torino and making it a show car.  He cherished time spent with his children tinkering on his car.

Steve had a servant's heart and was passionate about giving back to his community.  For approximately ten years, in the '80s, Steve served as a volunteer fireman for the Harrisburg Volunteer Fire Department.  He enjoyed the brotherhood of his fellow firefighters.  In the early '90s, Steve became involved with Special Olympics.  He was inspired by the athletes he met and decided to take classes and obtain his certification to coach.  He coached soccer, basketball, and track-and-field.  Steve was a former member of Kingsway Baptist Church, where he and Gail started the first NC Friendship Class, a Bible-based ministry for children and adults with physical and mental disabilities.  They felt led to share the love of Christ with the very special and loving friends they had made through Special Olympics.  Steve was very patriotic and always loved the military, but he never had the opportunity to serve.  He joined the USO at Charlotte-Douglas Airport and would work every Saturday morning serving those who serve us.  He enjoyed spending time with soldiers and their families and considered it a great honor to do so.

The greatest love in Steve's life was God.  His next great love was his wife of 57 years, his "angel," Gail.  They had a once-in-a-lifetime love that everyone seeks.  One of Steve's greatest accomplishments was being a daddy to eight wonderful children, whom he cherished:  Donna Bass Phillips (Jamey), William "Cale" Bass, Erica Bass Christopher (Brad), James "Jamie" Stephen Bass, Angela “Angel” Susan Bass, Amanda Bass Davidson (Colin), William "Todd" Bass, and Elliott Thomas “Tommy” Bass.  Steve was also blessed with six grandchildren, Jacob Phillips (Rikki), Hunter Phillips, Alyssa Christopher, Zoe Antonescu, Annabel Bass, and Syrenn Bass.

Steve's Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm.  Light refreshments will be available during the visitation.  The memorial service will follow at 2:30 pm in the funeral home chapel, officiated by Rev. David Snow and Rev. Wesley Shell.  The service will be webcast: https://video.ibm.com/channel/hartsell-funeral-home-concord

The Bass family would like to thank the healthcare workers who helped take such wonderful care of Steve over the last year and also Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County- Atrium Health for their care and support.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Special Olympics Cabarrus, Attn: Emily Riley, 7321 Raging Ridge Road, Harrisburg NC 28075 or the Coltrane LIFE Center, 321 Corban Ave. SE, Concord NC 28025.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord is serving the Bass family.