Stephen "Steve" Cushing McBroom

September 05, 1952 - October 11, 2016

“The education of a man is never completed until he dies.” Robert E. Lee. Stephen “Steve” Cushing McBroom, born to be a horse trainer on September 5, 1952, completed his education on October 11, 2016 at his home in Floyd, Virginia. He is survived by the love of his life and best friend, Diane Craun McBroom, his daughter Emily June McBroom Stilley, and his son Michael Ross Agee McBroom. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jackson Tate McBroom Sr. and Helen June McBroom of Roanoke, Virginia. Stephen had many brothers, sisters, sons and daughters; of whom some were by birth, some by informal adoption, and others by years of mutual love, enduring friendship, and professional relationships. Countless lives knew his gentle touch, his calm voice, and his keen wit and wisdom. To know Steve, however, one realized that his passion, purpose, and vision came from his life’s work breeding, raising, training, and showing the horses at Owl Hollow Farm, home to his World Champion Morgan stallion, Van Lu Starbuck. Steve would readily tell you that he learned far more about the beauty and dignity of life from the gentle souls of the horses he trained than from most of his human interactions. Yet Steve was no miser with the life lessons he had learned as he was a fountain of wisdom to hundreds of friends and family members with whom he would share words of encouragement on a daily basis. In all of these things, Steve worked and lived with an intense sense of purpose and duty. The great Virginian and soldier, Robert E. Lee, was Steve’s hero and role model. As Lee once said, “You should do your duty in all things. You can never do more, you should never wish to do less.” His duty done, the Gentleman Farmer of Owl Hollow leaves us with a solemn awareness of the value of our duty now. A celebration of Steve’s life will take place on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 10:00 AM in the Floyd County High School Gymnasium in Floyd VA. A foundation is being established in Steve’s honor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests future donations to this foundation be considered, details of which will be announced at his life celebration.

So sorry for your lose. I've known Steve and the family almost my whole life and graduated with June. He was such a wonderful kind man and had a wonderful family! My condolences goes his family and friends!

Steve was a wonderful person my thoughts and prayers to Dianne and family.

What a beautiful tribute. My heart is broken for you all in your loss. May God fill you with peace as you find your way through the next few days, weeks, and months. Steve was a great man, he will be greatly missed. You will remain in our thoughts and prayers. Let me know if we can help in any way. Much love, The Lacy Family.

Words cannot express our sorrow in your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with the entire McBroom family. Steve was a blessed soul who will be greatly missed by all who had the honor of knowing him.....

My brother and friend has no burdens now. He has found greener pastures in which to lie down. I am grateful for his life and am a better man for knowing him. I will miss his jokes and his wisdom. Oh, and one more thing...

I am repeating sone of my post to your Facebook page(June) but I feel it worth saying again. Steve taught me so much when I worked for him. Patience, hard work, understanding, dedication, and determination. Working with him helped make me the person I am today and it is a priceless gift. Prayers for your family and friends. Tammy

We are very sorry to hear about Steve may he rest in peace and may your heart start to heal I can,t even imagine losing John but I can guess it would be hard I will tell my father to look after him till you get there he is in good hands.

Our deepest sympathies for your loss DC. My family and I are very saddened by your loss of Steve and will continue to pray for you in the days to come. We wish you as much peace as possible at this sad time. So truly sorry. The Lobsingers

My heart is heavy over the loss of such a wonderful friend. I always enjoyed coming in contact with Steve and getting a warm hug and a warm smile. I will never forget the time he agreed to sponsor my adult basketball team and showed up at the first game with a bottle of oxygen. Go Rest High on that Mountain!

My sincerest sympathies to the McBroom family. I had the good fortune to be able to do some business with Steve a few years ago. I quickly learned that Steve was a very nice,easy man to become friends with quickly ! I had much admiration for Steve as a southern gentleman and a very sincere person ! I enjoyed dealing with Steve very much ! We have all lost a great man ! May God Bless !

Prayers for all . So sorry for your loss. I pray the Lords comfort around each and everyone of you!

Diane, I am so sorry for your loss!! I always enjoyed my time with Steve. He was one of the most generous souls I have known. You are in my thoughts! Just know he is watching over you!!!

Words cannot express our sorrow in your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with the entire McBroom family. Steve was a blessed soul who will be greatly missed by all who had the honor of knowing him.....

Steve will be remembered for his passion for all things horses. And, his love for his family was an inspiration. My life was made better through my knowing him.

I met Steve at CNRV hospital when one of his friends and worker was my patient.Steve was very attentive and loyal with his care.He was always there to help me with his care in any way he could.I found Steve to be a very warm and caring person,always gave me a hug.I know his legend will be missed by everyone that knew him. Rest in peace,Steve

So sorry for your loss prayers sent to you and the family

Rest In Peace Steve. I am sure you will see many of your human and animal friends that have gone before you. You will be missed by many. Thank you for the kindness you always showed me.

My life has been so very blessed to have been a part of yours my dear friend. So grateful for you my big brother.

Rest in peace Steve. You will be missed. 🐴

simply 1 of the most kind, thoughtful, and caring men i have ever met. with a spouse to match. this world has lost a most magnificent soul. along with anyone else who ever knew steve, our family will really, really miss you ,

We wanted to express our deepest condolences for the loss of you Father.. I am so very sorry. We go back with June and Michael from Richard's, High School years. I know that June kept us updated on her father's health on here. Sometimes, I just wanted to pull her through the phone and cry with her and just hold her. It was such a so wonderful seeing her over at the Blood bank in Blaskburg, when I took Margaret over there. I know your Father has passed but he will always will be you. If you all need anything please do not hesitate in calling us..

Still reeling you are no longer with us. So very grateful you were our friend, teacher,Mentor. You will be missed daily, but always close in our heart and thoughts. A Southern Gentleman thru and thru.... Kenny and Tobie Bentz

June, Michael and family, I am so sorry for the loss of your father. My God be with you to comfort you in this sad time.

My condolences to all those who knew Steve and were touched by his love, especially his dear wife D.C. May he rest in peace.

Diane, so very sorry to learn of Steve's passing. Had hoped to be able to come to the celebration but, unfortunately, I will be out of town. He always treated me and my kids better than we deserved. Grateful to have known him, if only a little. Best wishes to you and your children. Dixon

Steve and DC are the most wonderful, generous and kind people I've ever known. Steve made such an impact on my life. He made everyone he met feel so special, when really he was the one that was so special. I learned so much from him about how to treat others and live my life for others. I will miss him very much. Rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with you DC.

Steve was a special & generous man. He took his innate social responsibility very seriously. His love for his lovely wife Diane, children & myriad animals particularly horses and dogs was unparalleled. He will be missed greatly. Dave & Jen Hodgson (+ "fluffies")

I was blessed to have spent time at owl hollow as a child. My mother Vickie and stepfather Bob worked and lived on the farm for several years. Steve was larger than life to me as a little girl and his kindness and acceptance towards me touched my heart. I will always cherish the memories of my time there.