Steve was born January 22, 1955 in Lexington, Virginia and departed this earthly world for his heavenly home on October 3, 2016 in Plano, Texas after a lifetime courageous battle with heart disease.  Steve was the first child of Steve L. Burch, Jr. and Edna Mae Taylor.  Steve spent his childhood in Virginia and moved to Texas in 1970. Though he spent more than half his life in Texas, he still felt like Virginia was “home”.

Steve was a 1973 honor graduate from Euless Trinity High School and then attended Texas A&M University where he met the love of his life, Troie Ann Pruett. 

He graduated from Texas A&M with a B.S. in Zoology in 1977.  While at Texas A&M, Steve was a proud member of the Corps of Cadets and was honored to be selected as a Ross Volunteer, the governor’s honor guard.

After graduation from Texas A&M University, he married Troie, on August 6, 1977 in Victoria, Texas.  They were blessed with a wonderful marriage of 39 years. They shared many vacations with their children, they loved camping, attending Texas Aggie Football games, and they shared the love of the Lord.

Steve started an MBA at Texas A&M with plans for Hospital Administration before he went to the University of Texas Health Science Center Dental School in San Antonio where he graduated in 1982.  After Dental School, Steve and Troie moved to Allen, TX in August 1982, where he opened his dental practice and they have lived ever since. 

Steve was so proud of his children and loved being a daddy more than anything. He coached Stephen in sports that he never had played and was so proud to be Taryn’s “Dance Dad” on and off the stage. One of his biggest honors in life, was to see his children decide to follow Christ and baptize both of them.

He was passionate about practicing the art and science of dentistry; he loved the staff in his office like a second family and was blessed to have many long tenured employees.  Most of all he loved the interaction with his patients.  He often came home telling of some way he was able to help one of them – through dentistry or just with “life”. Many said they were afraid of the dentist until they went to Steve. 

He was not ashamed to share his faith with anyone. He was extremely generous in many ways that were not publicly known and would do anything he could to help someone.  His patients loved him as they knew he would always have a joke or a kind word for them.

More than anything, Steve loved God, followed by his family, and his Fightin’ Texas Aggies!  He was as maroon blooded as any Aggie and most of his wardrobe reflected that. For those attending the services, the wearing of Aggie maroon is to honor Steve.

Throughout his life, he taught many Bible Classes - from toddlers, teens, to adults and even tried his hand at preaching a few times. The many church families and our Connecting Point group at Greenville Oaks were very dear to him.

Steve was an active member of the Allen Rotary Club having served twice as the local club President and in many other Board positions. He held perfect attendance for 33 years and he was a two time Paul Harris Fellow.

Golfing with his buddies was a wonderful outlet for him and he cherished the friends that he played with on many golf courses, including his favorites - Pebble Beach and Scotland.

Steve never gave up, though he was often limited by his heart.  While his physical heart was troubled, this spiritual heart was warm and limitless.

Steve is survived by his wife of 39 years, Troie; his son, Stephen Burch IV (Natalie); his daughter, Taryn McPherson (Ben); and the apple of his eye, his precious granddaughter, Ivy Grae McPherson, who knew him as “her G-Daddy”. 

In addition, he is survived by his mother, Edna Mae Wilson; his father, Steve L. Burch Jr. and stepmother, Marsha; sisters, Debbie Miller, Karen Perry (Dwight), Cindy Burch (Rick Mackey); and brothers, Tim Burch (Candace), Scott Burch (Becky), and Jeffrey Burch; brother-in-law, Terrell Pruett (Becky); numerous nephews, nieces, dear friends, staff members, relatives; and his lap buddies, Charlie and Sarge.

Pallbearers are Ben McPherson, Terrell Pruett, Trent Pruett, Tyler Pruett, Tucker McLemore, Brody McLemore, Scott Burch, and Rick Mackey.

Honorary Pallbearers are Stephen Burch, Steve L. Burch, Jr, Tim Burch, Cody Burch, Paul Lonquist, Kyle Lonquist, Jack Conley, Jim Oldham, and Allen Boyer.

Steve is preceded in death by his parents-in-law, Troy and Barbara Pruett; and his grandparents, Essie Fitzgerald, Stephen Matthew Burch, and Elwood and Mamie Taylor.

Visitation will be held at Greenville Oaks Church of Christ in Allen, TX at 1:00 pm on Friday, October 7, 2016, just prior to the Celebration of Life at 2:00 pm at the church. Burial will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park at Turrentine Jackson Morrow Funeral Home, in Allen, TX.

Charitable contributions in Steve’s honor may be made to a college fund for his grandchildren (to be established), the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets’ Association, or the American Heart Association.

 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” John 14:1-4