Stephen W. Akers

Stephen Wayne Akers
May 6, 1944 – July 11, 2024

Throughout his life, Steve wore many different hats and held many different titles along his journey: Husband, Dad, Son, Uncle, Mentor, Pastor, Boss, Musician, and others, but if you asked him which description he thought most apt, he would have most definitely and confidently said, Christian. It was the last one that carried him through all his days, through his long Parkinson’s journey, and ultimately to his very peaceful transition on the morning of July 11, 2024

A Florida native, Steve grew up and went to school in the College Park area of Orlando, landing at Edgewater High School in the late 50s and early 60s. While a senior there, he met young freshman woman named Cathy Clack who, for a few different (and now humorous) reasons, actually didn’t like him very much - at first. But as time passed and with a little help from some mutual friends, their differences melted away and in June 1967, Steve and Cathy were married. And whatever the reasons were which might have tried to keep them apart at the beginning, they certainly didn’t get in the way of them forging a happy family adventure together for the next several decades, celebrating their 57th wedding anniversary last month.

Regarding work and career, Steve had a few different jobs before landing at Tupperware International Headquarters in Kissimmee, Florida in the late 60s where he would work for the greater part of next 3 decades. Starting off with their in-house print collateral businesses doing typesetting, layout, and print production, he helped create materials which supported and promoted the Tupperware brand, the products, and their sales force. He had a lot of fun
traveling to their regional sales and celebration events (called “Jubilees”) where he could be seen occasionally testing out his acting chops on the event stage. Steve continued proving himself a valuable part of the organization and worked his way into leadership roles with Tupperware, ultimately taking the reins of all the company’s printing strategies and asset production when his boss retired. A few years later, after being promoted into purchasing and
procurement for the company, Steve decided it was time to follow the calling he felt for full time ministry and retired from Tupperware for good at the ripe “old” age of 49.

Just like Tupperware, full-time ministry didn’t see Steve confined to a single box – he was a teacher, counselor, mentor, friend, and pastor whose reach and positive impact has most certainly been felt in ways and by more people than he could have ever realized. From working with those needing support in one-on-one counseling sessions to preaching to his congregations to helping support global ministries as far away as Africa with supplies and Bibles, he made encouraging others to share the love and purpose which was so close to his heart one of his main motivators.

Other things making Steve’s list of favorite things would be cars, movies, music, good food, graphic design, computers, boating and fishing, and the occasional road trip to the mountains to experience the other three seasons Florida is not fortunate enough to have. But throughout everything, what made all of those experiences most important to him was sharing them with his family and friends.

Preceded in passing by his parents, Wayne and Louise Akers of Inverness, FL, Steve is survived by his beautiful wife, Cathy Akers (nee Clack) as well as two sons: Landon of Orlando, FL and David of Seattle, WA. Other surviving family members are his sister-in-law, Rita Manny (nee Clack) and brother-in-law, Ken Manny, his niece Devon Manny and newest family addition, great-niece, Mia Manny who in her short 2.5 years on the scene became one his biggest fans. Additional survivors include his sister-in-law, Jean Clack of Ocala, FL as well as nieces and nephews and their families: Angie Boykin (nee Clack), her husband Pete and their children Nathan and Maddie of Sanford, FL; Nick and Amy Clack and their son, Nash of Ocala, FL and Keith and Gabby Clack, also of Ocala, FL.

To list the vast network of friends and other extended family members would take many volumes and even then, would likely not manage to include all the people whose job it is to carry the torch of Steve’s light in their hearts.

Death is the end of a life, but not of a relationship. We are all now sacred memory keepers for Steve as what is remembered never truly dies.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 20 at Newcomer Funeral Home at 335 East State Road 434 in Longwood, Florida 32750.

Gathering starts at 1:30 pm with the service taking place from 2 – 3 pm. A reception with light snacks and refreshments will immediately follow, also at Newcomer Funeral Home.

Stephen's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click here to view the service.

All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

To share your memories of Stephen or to leave a special message for his family online, please visit the guestbook below.