Steve W. Tedder

Steve W. Tedder, born October 13, 1951, passed away on February 26, 2025, with his wife Katie by his side. He was 73 years old.

Steve is the son of the late Ira W. and Alma Hall Tedder. He was a 1969 graduate of South Stokes High School. He graduated from Western Carolina with a degree in Biology.

Above all else, Steve was the most devoted son and brother after moving back to Stokes County in 2003 to care for his mother and sister. Steve leaves behind his daughter, Julie Barr Tedder Queen, son-in-law Charles William Queen, cherished grandson Liam Tyler Queen, his sister Donna Lou Tedder, and his wife Katie. Steve's proudest life accomplishments were, without a doubt, his daughter and grandson. Steve loved nothing more than being Julie's Dad and Liam's Papa.

Steve loved being back on his family farm. Each year, he added more acres to maintain and mow. He took great pride in tending to the homeplace. In his younger days, Steve was an avid baseball player. He also thoroughly enjoyed playing a round of golf. His favorite daily pastime was hanging out with the dogs, family, and friends on the Tedderfarm B30 Lounge. His pups will surely miss their daddy.

Steve was a pioneer in the North Carolina Water Quality industry. For much of his career, he was the Chief of that program.

During his years with the Division of Water Quality, Steve held several positions including Water Quality Section Chief, Environmental Laboratory Director, and liaison between the eight southeastern states in Region IV and EPA. For his last seven years, he served as the Water Quality Regional Supervisor in the Winston Salem Regional Office that encompassed the 15 northwestern counties in North Carolina. During his tenure, Steve was awarded several recognitions to include member of the NC Environmental Management Commission, member of NC AWWA-WEA, Governor’s Outstanding Service Award, Southeastern Water Pollution Biologist Association Charter Member, Governor’s Award for Excellence, Order of the Long Leaf Pine, Environmental Protection Agency Award of Excellence, the Division of Water Quality Vanguard Award, and the recent recognition for his career accomplishments by the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin Association.

Immediately after retirement from the State, Steve continued his life's work as a private consultant. For over 14 years, Steve proudly consulted with firms throughout North Carolina with his sole proprietorship, Tedderfarm Consulting. Steve loved his work. He would have never given it up if he didn’t have to.

Steve's cause of death was due to complications from a rare disease called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). PSP is a cruel and debilitating neurological illness. Steve faced each day with courage and as much strength as he had left in his body. He will be remembered as a fierce force who managed his life with confidence, fortitude, and tenacity.

The family has set up a 501(3)(c) non-profit in joint memory and honor of Steve and his late father, Ira. Ira was a founding member and once the Chief of the Sauratown Volunteer Fire Department in King, NC.

The Chief Tedder Rescue Foundation (CTRF) will have the mission of providing life-saving medical alert and identification devices to those in need.

The family kindly asks that you honor Steve's memory by making a donation addressed to the Chief Tedder Rescue Foundation. Donations can be sent to 124 Five Forks Drive, PMB #121 King, NC, 27021, or by scanning the QR code below. Your support in starting this mission and helping give peace of mind to caregivers of those who can't speak for themselves is greatly appreciated.

A party to celebrate Steve’s life and accomplishments will be held at Tedderfarm on May 17, 2025, at 4:00 pm, a date he chose. Little did he know that May is PSP Awareness Month. To learn more about this incurable disease, visit www.psp.org.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Steve W. Tedder, please visit our floral store.