1962-2025
Stephen “Steve” Ray Chatham, loving husband, father, Papa, and so much more, age 62, of Rogers, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2025, surrounded by his family and many friends that had become family. He was born October 7, 1962, in Monticello, Arkansas, to the late Paul A. and Willene Chatham. Steve grew up in Star City, Arkansas, where he graduated from Star City High School in 1981.
Steve married Debbie (Greer) Chatham on April 2, 1993. She refused to marry him on April 1 (April Fool’s Day) due to the fact he was a huge prankster. They started their lives together in Star City where they raised their daughter, Brandy (Williamson) Tuft, and they lived there until 2007. Steve & Debbie moved to Chicago, Illinois; White Hall, Arkansas; and Fort Smith, Arkansas, before finally landing in Rogers in 2019 so they could be closer to their granddaughter, Emma Kate.
Steve was a salesman by trade, but his true passions were fishing, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. His goal in life was to make sure everyone was always laughing and having fun. He was always the life of the party and never met a stranger, much to his wife’s chagrin. He also loved to travel specifically to Pawley’s Island, South Carolina, where he got to share his love of the beach with his friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his older sister Sharon Pena. He is survived by his wife, Debbie Chatham and his daughter, Brandy Tuft (Erik) and his most beloved granddaughter, Emma Kate. He is also survived by his brother Paul Chatham (Rhonda); his sisters, Jamie Robbins (Mike), Paulette O’Briant (Bobby) and Shirley Chatham; his sister-in-law Lee Ann Greer; and the many friends that he loved as family over the years.
Pallbearers will be Jerry Wayne Shumake (honorary), Lonnie Barling (honorary), Harvey Owen, Drew Steed, Reggie Smith, Paul Moore, Hal Vineyard, and Tim Ogg.
Visitation will be at Griffin Funeral Service Sunday, May 4, 2025 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM. The funeral service will be held at Griffin Funeral Chapel on Monday, May 5, 2025 at 2:00 PM with Brother Jonathan McEntire officiating. The burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Steve to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society online at www.lls.org.
