Obituary for Stephen Roy Proffitt
Stephen Roy Proffitt, age 67, of Springfield, MO, left this earth for Heaven at 1:05 am, Wednesday, October 6, 2021 in KUMED Hospital, Kansas City, KS. His wife, Berna, and their two children, Aubrey and Luke, were with him for his Homegoing. He was born on April 2, 1954 in Lincoln, NE to Blaine and Julia Proffitt, the third of four children.
Steve met his wife, Berna Dene Cristy, while attending Mid-America Nazarene University. They were married December 7, 1974 at College Church in Olathe, KS. Upon graduation with a Religious Education and Music degree, together with their baby daughter, Aubrey, born June 23, 1977, they began their journey of ministry. First stop was Omaha, NE, where Steve served as youth pastor at Omaha Central Nazarene. Upon leaving Nebraska, Steve briefly served as a police officer in Joplin, MO and then in Greeley, CO where they added the gift of a son, Luke, born May 11, 1980. Full time ministry resumed as Steve became youth pastor in Springdale, AR at First Nazarene Church.
This chapter solidified Steve’s calling to ministry and he never questioned it again. A few years later, Steve was called to serve as youth pastor in Texas at Pasadena First Nazarene Church and then as youth and music pastor at Houston Northwest Nazarene Church. His first senior pastor position followed at First Nazarene in Chandler, OK, then later on at Valley Oaks Nazarene Church in Carmichael, CA. Returning back to Missouri, he co-pastored with his brother-in-law, Bobby Cox, at Dayspring Nazarene Church, Springfield, MO, for a length of time before founding Potter’s House, a coffeehouse college campus ministry, in 2000, on South National Avenue, across from Missouri State University. He and Berna hit the ground running, and soon added Samson Latchison to the staff. These three ministered side by side to college students, spanning two plus decades. Steve even had the privilege of being fully initiated as an honorary member of the Kappa Alpha Order Fraternity, after spending time with the Drury University KA young men, offering counsel and often providing a father role in their lives. After a few years, Steve decided to go back to college at Assembly of God Theological Seminary in Springfield to earn a Master’s degree in counseling. He graduated April 2009, and proceeded to do his internship at Pregnancy Care Center on Primrose. After completion of his internship, he took on yet another position as the Fatherhood and Relationship Education Director. This role continued for seven years, in addition to Executive Director of Potter’s House, making this a time of intense schedules but with rewards beyond words. Having his licensure as professional counselor opened doors for deeper counseling with individuals and couples preparing for marriage. It’s impossible to calculate the number of couples Steve was honored to officiate their wedding, and the greater number of pre-marriage counseling that he and Berna did together. This and personal discipleship of individuals were his greatest calling. If you wonder what Steve did in his down time, well, it was filled too. He and Berna loved stealing away for a ride on his motorcycle, going nowhere or taking a few days away. He loved golfing, cooking, and most of all, finding reasons for his kids and grandkids to come to the house. As the grandkids grew, he so looked forward to watching them at piano recitals, school events, soccer, baseball, and football games. And of course, with birthday celebrations monthly, it was always full. Probably his only fault would be that he was a loyal Cubs fan, which gave his family and friends much to banter him about. He lived to serve. It was always God, family, and others.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Nancy Olson.
He is survived by his bride, Berna Proffitt; his beloved children, Aubrey Knight and her husband Ryan, and Luke Proffitt and his wife Erin; treasured grandchildren, Cooper Knight, Carson Knight, Claire Knight, Calvin Knight, Campbell Knight, Mason Proffitt, Elorah Proffitt, Emberly Proffitt, Marshall Proffitt, and Myer Proffitt; his brother Ron Proffitt and sister Julie Taylor; and many nieces and nephews.
The celebration of Steve’s life will be held at Regalo Orchard: 3934 N State Hwy H, Springfield, MO at 1:30pm on Sunday, October 17, 2021 under the care of Herman H Loymeyer Funeral Home, with Samson Latchison officiating. Viewing and sharing will follow from 2:30-5:30pm. Burial will be in White Oak Cemetery, Rogersville, MO. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Potter’s House: 724 S National Avenue, Springfield, MO 65804, to further the vision.
While we mourn our great loss, we have all been impacted by his servant heart and extravagant love. This compels us to continue the mission and also hear the words Steve has heard, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.
Steve met his wife, Berna Dene Cristy, while attending Mid-America Nazarene University. They were married December 7, 1974 at College Church in Olathe, KS. Upon graduation with a Religious Education and Music degree, together with their baby daughter, Aubrey, born June 23, 1977, they began their journey of ministry. First stop was Omaha, NE, where Steve served as youth pastor at Omaha Central Nazarene. Upon leaving Nebraska, Steve briefly served as a police officer in Joplin, MO and then in Greeley, CO where they added the gift of a son, Luke, born May 11, 1980. Full time ministry resumed as Steve became youth pastor in Springdale, AR at First Nazarene Church.
This chapter solidified Steve’s calling to ministry and he never questioned it again. A few years later, Steve was called to serve as youth pastor in Texas at Pasadena First Nazarene Church and then as youth and music pastor at Houston Northwest Nazarene Church. His first senior pastor position followed at First Nazarene in Chandler, OK, then later on at Valley Oaks Nazarene Church in Carmichael, CA. Returning back to Missouri, he co-pastored with his brother-in-law, Bobby Cox, at Dayspring Nazarene Church, Springfield, MO, for a length of time before founding Potter’s House, a coffeehouse college campus ministry, in 2000, on South National Avenue, across from Missouri State University. He and Berna hit the ground running, and soon added Samson Latchison to the staff. These three ministered side by side to college students, spanning two plus decades. Steve even had the privilege of being fully initiated as an honorary member of the Kappa Alpha Order Fraternity, after spending time with the Drury University KA young men, offering counsel and often providing a father role in their lives. After a few years, Steve decided to go back to college at Assembly of God Theological Seminary in Springfield to earn a Master’s degree in counseling. He graduated April 2009, and proceeded to do his internship at Pregnancy Care Center on Primrose. After completion of his internship, he took on yet another position as the Fatherhood and Relationship Education Director. This role continued for seven years, in addition to Executive Director of Potter’s House, making this a time of intense schedules but with rewards beyond words. Having his licensure as professional counselor opened doors for deeper counseling with individuals and couples preparing for marriage. It’s impossible to calculate the number of couples Steve was honored to officiate their wedding, and the greater number of pre-marriage counseling that he and Berna did together. This and personal discipleship of individuals were his greatest calling. If you wonder what Steve did in his down time, well, it was filled too. He and Berna loved stealing away for a ride on his motorcycle, going nowhere or taking a few days away. He loved golfing, cooking, and most of all, finding reasons for his kids and grandkids to come to the house. As the grandkids grew, he so looked forward to watching them at piano recitals, school events, soccer, baseball, and football games. And of course, with birthday celebrations monthly, it was always full. Probably his only fault would be that he was a loyal Cubs fan, which gave his family and friends much to banter him about. He lived to serve. It was always God, family, and others.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Nancy Olson.
He is survived by his bride, Berna Proffitt; his beloved children, Aubrey Knight and her husband Ryan, and Luke Proffitt and his wife Erin; treasured grandchildren, Cooper Knight, Carson Knight, Claire Knight, Calvin Knight, Campbell Knight, Mason Proffitt, Elorah Proffitt, Emberly Proffitt, Marshall Proffitt, and Myer Proffitt; his brother Ron Proffitt and sister Julie Taylor; and many nieces and nephews.
The celebration of Steve’s life will be held at Regalo Orchard: 3934 N State Hwy H, Springfield, MO at 1:30pm on Sunday, October 17, 2021 under the care of Herman H Loymeyer Funeral Home, with Samson Latchison officiating. Viewing and sharing will follow from 2:30-5:30pm. Burial will be in White Oak Cemetery, Rogersville, MO. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Potter’s House: 724 S National Avenue, Springfield, MO 65804, to further the vision.
While we mourn our great loss, we have all been impacted by his servant heart and extravagant love. This compels us to continue the mission and also hear the words Steve has heard, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.