The Life of Mr Steven Charles Theodore
Steven Charles Theodore, 71, died peacefully on December 16, 2023, in Jacksonville, Florida, after a battle with cancer. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Julie; by sisters Gretchen Wilson of Durango, CO, and Gwen Wilhelm of Silver Spring, MD; and by aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, and grand nephews.
Steve was born January 10, 1952, in Washington, DC, to Josephine and Peter Theodore. He grew up in Wheaton, MD, and along with his twin sister Gwen, graduated from Einstein High School and the University of Maryland. It was at UM that he met his wife, Julie, while sharing a piano in a music education class. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in music education at University of Maryland.
He began playing with local bands as a trumpet player in junior high school, performing for teen clubs, church dances, and Battles of the Bands. However, he soon followed in his father’s footsteps as a professional electric and acoustic bass player in the Gene Donati Band. His work with Donati took him to engagements in over 40 states where the band played for political conventions, corporate functions, and charitable events, including playing at the White House for presidents from Jimmy Carter to George W. Bush.
Additionally, Steve taught instrumental music for 30 years for Prince George’s County MD public schools. He retired while assigned to Bowie High School where he spent 14 years developing skills in young musicians in the band and orchestra programs. He loved seeing some of his students move on to their own careers in music and education, and greatly enjoyed those who kept in touch well into adulthood.
After living in Bowie, MD for 40 years, Steve and his wife moved to Ocean City, NJ, where Steve’s family vacationed while he was growing up. It was also where he and his wife honeymooned in 1972, the beginning of a life-long love affair with the town. When Covid hit New Jersey, they decided to move farther south, first to a suburb of Charleston, SC, and finally to Jacksonville, FL where they have lived the last three years.
Steve was not only a performing musician, he was also an avid listener. First in the DC area, then all around Jacksonville, he delighted in the many venues for both classical and jazz, and relished all the old rock bands that came through the Jacksonville area on their 50th anniversary tours. He and his wife also enjoyed travel, particularly by cruise ship, and were fortunate to visit ports from Antarctica to over the Arctic Circle, and around the world from Dubai to Singapore to Beijing.
Steve will be missed by all who knew him. His was a kind and gentle heart; he was simply a decent man. A date for a memorial service has not been set. Burial will be private at a family plot in York, PA. Contributions in his memory may be made to The Nature Conservancy or to a charity of your choice.