Stephen Wayne (Steve) Prendergast

Stephen Wayne (Steve) Prendergast passed away at his home on February 27, 2024 after a lengthy, valiant battle with cancer.  He was born in Galveston on April 11, 1953 to F.M. (Ducky) Prendergast and Ruth Newcombe Prendergast. 

Steve was a proud “BOI.”  From a very early age, he always had a love for the water and the beach. You could have found him surfing, working as a life guard, or helping his Dad with his decades old beach rental service at 59th street (Ducky’s Beach). 

Steve attended Galveston Public Schools and graduated from Ball High School in 1971. He was a member of the varsity football team.  He attended Galveston Community College before transferring to Texas A&M University in College Station where he was member of the Aggie Corp of Cadets Company E-2 (Mascot Company for Reveille III), the RECON Company, and later on the 6th Battalion Staff as Supply Officer.  He successfully completed Airborne Jump School while at A&M.  Steve graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Educational Curriculum and Instruction.  

Steve was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps after graduation.  He completed USMC Officer and Infantry Training, Scuba School, and the Jumpmaster course.  He was stationed with units at Camp Lejeune, NC, and in Okinawa, Japan.   He participated in numerous overseas training operations, including scuba rescue diving and ski rescue mission trainings in Norway.  In 1980 he was assigned to the Staff of the 3rd Force Recon Company, 4th Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, USMC Reserve, in New Orleans.  Steve was promoted to Captain during this assignment.  He later served with a USMC Recruiting unit in Mobile, AL, where he completed his service in December 1984.  His awards included the Humanitarian Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Certificates of Commendation, the Navy & Marine Corps Parachutist and SCUBA Insignias, M16 Rifle and 45 Caliber Pistol Expert Badges. 

Steve returned to Galveston after his military career and worked as a science teacher and coach in Galveston ISD.  He later worked for G&H Towing Company as an assistant tugboat engineer, retiring in 2023.  He was affectionately known as “Coach” by his shipmates.  Steve often volunteered as the ship’s cook.  His former ship’s captain said the crew always ate very well when Steve was on board. 

Steve and his longtime partner, Dinah Carroll, loved traveling and meeting new people wherever they went.  They enjoyed sightseeing and learning the local history of areas as well as trying the local cuisine, brews, and wines.  They vacationed in Argentina, Europe, and the Caribbean.  They visited his family in Escondido, CA, and helped with the wine production in his niece’s winery.  He loved to cook for his friends making “Ducky’s famous gumbo” or having a crawfish boil. 

After his retirement, Steve enjoyed watching his grandsons’ football and baseball games, often coaching from the bleachers.  He and Dinah loved attending Aggie football games.  Steve loved grumbling about the Aggies’ sports teams’ performance to anyone who would listen. 

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, F.M. (Ducky) and Ruth Prendergast; stepmother, Harriett Mullen Prendergast; brothers Robert Prendergast of San Diego, CA, and Donald Prendergast of Lady Lake, FL.  He is survived by his daughter, Kari P. Long and husband Nick, grandsons R. Sterling Long and R. Walker Long of League City; brother Charles Prendergast and wife Sylvia of Friendswood; longtime companion Dinah Carroll of Spring, TX; niece Alice P. Lowrey of Pearland; sister-in-law Carol Prendergast, niece Lynn P. LaChapelle and husband Mark Robinson of Escondido, CA; nephew Robert Prendergast Jr. and wife Sally of Encinitas, CA; great-nieces and nephews Sophie Prendergast Whicheloe, Olivia Prendergast, Ian, Ross, and Jacqueline Lowrey, and other relatives. 

The family would like to thank Steve’s lifelong friends Peter Kypreos, Eddie Barr, Dennis Baskett, Tom Hunter, Donald “Frog” Smith; his neighbors Lavenia Lagrone, Frances Knape, and Lexie Labove, and many, many other friends who were always up for a good laugh and a beer with him.  

A Memorial Service to celebrate Steve’s life is planned for March 29, 2024 at the J. Levy and Termini Funeral Home Chapel.  All attendees are encouraged to wear Hawaiian shirts.  The family will receive visitors starting at 10:00 am, followed by a service at 11:00 am.  A reception will follow the service.  Steve requested a private family burial at sea, which will be held at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to one of the following charitable organizations: 

The Texas A&M Association of Former Students, the CPT Stephen W. Prendergast ’75 Memorial Aggie Rings for Veterans Scholarship (tx.ag/Prendergast or call 979-845-7514); 

The Galveston Island Beach Patrol’s Galveston Lifeguarding Association, 301 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX  77580.

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