Steven Charles Horst, a gentleman in every sense, went peacefully home to his Lord on April 13, 2025 at Seton Medical Center in Austin Texas.
He was preceded in death by his parents George and Beverly Horst and his mother in law Mary Castañon.
Steve was born August 11, 1949 in Kermit, Texas to George and Beverly who had moved to west Texas from Minnesota during the oil boom. He grew up in Kermit and Snyder and spent his formative years in Midland, Texas. After high school he attended Odessa Junior College and went on to receive his BA at Southwest Texas State University in Commercial Art.
He went to work in Midland after college where his daughters Jenifer and Heather were born. He then accepted a position at the Texas Department of Health (TDH) in the Reprographics department as a graphic designer and moved to Austin. During his 40 year career at TDH he held the roles of illustrator, photographer, editor and ultimately rose to Director. He thoroughly enjoyed his work and made many lifelong friends there.
While at TDH he met Veronyca, the love of his life, and they were married in 1994. Her son Zachary became his own and they built a beautiful life together.
Steve was a patient, loving and wonderful father and teacher to his children and engaged in as many activities with them as he could. Being a father and grandfather brought him great joy and pride. He was also honored to be a father figure to his nephews Andrew, Blake and Dalton and his niece Maddie Jo and loved them as his own.
He was an avid cyclist for many years and played sand volleyball with a special group of friends. He enjoyed travel, camping, hiking, photography and filmmaking. As an artist he took inspiration from the love of his family and nature, especially the high desert of Big Bend. He was very proud but humble that his artistic talents live on in a new generation through his son and granddaughter.
His deep love of music cannot go unmentioned. His unparalleled vinyl collection is highly coveted and his encyclopedic knowledge spanned across genres even as his short term memory failed him. Quick to supply an artists name and the bands historical context.
Steve felt he was truly blessed and took joy in sharing the treasure that was bestowed upon him. St. Louis Catholic Church and School and Social Ministries, St. Michael’s Catholic School, Down Home Ranch and Ronald McDonald House were just a few beneficiaries of his generosity.
As an active member of St. Louis Catholic Church he spent many years as a hospitality minister, hours in Adoration, King’s Men study group, Mobile Loaves and Fishes, and Saturday mornings at the Food Pantry. He also enjoyed his volunteer time at St Louis Catholic School during Fun Fest and basketball tournaments.
In January 2013 after a short bike ride home from work Steve suffered a cardiac arrest. His caring neighbors Pam and Mike administered CPR and together with the paramedics and Dr Paul Roach they saved his life. Although his brain injury changed his life forever he became physically whole again and lived his second gift of life with joy and enthusiasm. Even in these last few years as his brain/body connection began to fail him he was ever happy and content, never complaining or feeling sorry for himself. This spirit is what defined his character, a gift to everyone who knew him.
He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Veronyca Castañon, his siblings; Jim and Debbie Horst, Nancy and Steve Turner and Jill Dolloff. His other brothers and sisters; Michael Castañon, Trey Herschap, Vivian Castañon Herschap and Valerie Castañon Wilson. His children; Jenifer and Marty Van Gordon, Heather and Rob Moore and Zachary and Mica Castañon. His grandchildren Dustin and Kim Van Gordon, Jessica and Colt Maldonado, Meagan and Kenneth Lemuel, Reid and Katy Moore, Barrett Van Gordon and Javier and Lucia Castañon. 7 great grandchildren, 11 nieces and nephews and many other family members he loved and cared deeply for.
His wife would like to give special thanks to her sister Vivian; her help throughout these last five years with Steve’s care and affairs has been nothing short of an invaluable gift and a blessing. Additionally, the family would like to thank his private caregivers at The Key, his family in Memory Care at The Village at The Triangle and the nurses and doctors at Seton Medical Center Main for their compassionate care.
Gifts in his memory may be made to St. Louis Catholic Church Social Ministries and the Marathon Texas public library.
Funeral mass will be celebrated at 11AM on April 25th at St. Louis Catholic Church, Austin TX, with Reverend Father Craig De Young as celebrant. A reception will follow in the church hall. Just as he wanted and talked about many times, a private celebration of life will be held in the fall when Steve’s cremains will be interred at the Marathon Texas cemetery near the Big Bend National Park he loved.
Posted online on April 19, 2025
Published in Austin American Statesman
