Roll Call Tribute

Steven Randall Skiff 

July 12, 1975 - September 24, 2024 

Steven Randall Skiff, a resident of Houston, Texas at the time of his passing, met his Savior on September 24, 2024. For forty-nine years, Steven led a selfless and caring life that touched the many communities of which he was a part.

Steven was born on July 12, 1975 in El Dorado, Arkansas to Randall and Renee (Stevens) Skiff and their family was completed two years later with the arrival of his younger sister, Jami (Skiff) Swift. As a boy, Steven was often described as shy, but those who knew him best would say he was busy observing and watching out for those around him, especially his little sister. This was the start of a lifelong journey of caring for others, listening, and giving counsel.

In 1982, the Skiff family relocated to London, England for Randall’s job. It was during this phase of his life that Steven developed his love of sports including basketball, soccer, and volleyball. He attended the American School of London and was an active participant in scouts. It was also during these years that Steven joined a youth group and accepted Jesus as his Savior. He held Jesus in his heart for the rest of his life.

Ex-pat life meant there was a revolving door of people coming in and out of their lives and underscored the importance making new families feel welcome. Steven quickly developed skills for drawing new people in and his “the more the merrier” mentality was born.

The Skiff family moved back to the USA in 1990 where Steven quickly assimilated back into American life – enjoying high school football games and McDonalds with his youth group. Steven was popular at his new high school – everyone wanted a ride in his 1965 red vinyl-top mustang! Steven graduated from Mandeville High School (Louisiana) in 1993.

Following his high school graduation, Steven enrolled at LSU (Geaux Tigers!) and spent the next eight years in Baton Rouge, LA getting a bachelor’s in psychology, a master’s degree in counseling, and then working in the Dean’s office as a freshman counselor. Steven’s community grew tremendously during this time, as well as his skills in listening and mentoring. His time at LSU had a big impact on him and it was the start of a lifelong love for LSU sports.

In 2001, Steven changed course and started the full-time MBA program at Texas A&M University. In addition to expanding his network and inciting his love of business, it was while attending A&M that he met the love of his life, Heidi (Felix). Steven graduated in 2003 and moved to Houston.

New to Houston, it was time for Steven to start building another community and that started with buying a home in Candlelight Plaza in 2003, where he would live for the rest of his life. On July 23, 2005, Steven traded out his college roommates for Heidi when the two were married in her hometown of Steubenville, OH. In the early years of their marriage, the couple enjoyed travel, snow skiing, hiking, and hosting friends and neighbors at their home often. Between 2008-2013, Steven and Heidi grew their family with the addition of Rylie, Felix, and Valerie. Heidi and Steven were heavily involved in their community, volunteering in both the neighborhood and local schools. Steven coached countless sports teams, volunteered in the PTA, and even started a Dad’s club at Durham Elementary to pour fatherly love into the students there. Wherever he saw a need, he was quick to jump in and help.

He was an entrepreneur who had multiple small businesses and was always up for creating and brainstorming new and better ways of doing things. He was a shining example of what it means to be a great boss, co-worker, mentor, and leader. Steven was a “self-taught” handyman, but it is not clear if that’s because he liked working with his hands or if it was frugality at its finest. He was the “funcle” (fun uncle) to 17 nieces and nephews, was always the life of the party, and had a knack for creating silly games or competitions out of whatever was nearby.

Steven was a man of God who always put others first. He was the epitome of a servant leader. He will be greatly missed by many.