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STEVEN JAMES JARRETT HARDER

Steven James Jarrett Harder, 20, of Hayes, passed away Dec. 18, 2017.

He was born Oct. 16, 1997 in Newport News, the son of Theodore James Harder and Angela Eyer-Harder, and grew up in Gloucester. He attended school at Gloucester Montessori, Gloucester, and graduated from Smithfield High at age 16.

He was incredibly blessed with the gift of knowledge and absorbed everything he read. He excelled in math and science and had a great understanding of the universe, technology, engines and how things work in general, but was extremely humble about his abilities. Astronomy was what he hoped to pursue. 

Steven was passionate about sports and especially football, playing in GYFL for several years and was an avid Chicago Bears fan. He never met a ball he didn’t want to catch, pass, throw or kick and played baseball and soccer as a youth.

He enjoyed traveling with his maternal grandparents and extended family to spend Christmas and summers in Washington State and had visited Hawaii, Finland, New York City and Florida.

Generous, compassionate and loyal describe his personality toward others. He loved animals, playing video games with his sister, trips to the family cabin, card games and chess.  

We will miss his bright smile, laugh, incredible mind and random acts of kindness toward others. He was known as “Peeven” to all of his friends, a nickname that stuck on a trip to the Outer Banks with his sister.

Steven is survived by his father, Theodore James Harder and wife Debbie; mother, Angela Suzanne Eyer-Harder; sister, Rachel Anne Harder; son, Zachary James Harder; paternal grandparents, Robert Harry Harder and wife Carol; Judith Anne Harder; maternal grandparents, Bruce and Pat Eyer, and many loved aunts, uncles and cousins.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, at 1 p.m. at Ware Episcopal Church, 7825 John Clayton Memorial Highway, Gloucester.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a simple card/note addressed to his son Zachary, sharing any cherished memories, stories, attributes, pictures, etc., and their connection with Steven, so he may learn more about his father.