Steve was an old time buddy of mine all the way back to Oak Forest Elementary. I was always amazed he lived in house that had an upstairs in Oak Forest. We spent many a good time upstairs in the early years with his older brother Ed sometimes entertaining us. Later on Steve would be banging his drums upstairs and we would be listening to rock and roll really load. He was a hilariously funny and great guy. RIP buddy....
LONG LIVE CEARLY AND THE CRABS-(His band that played sometimes at the Secret Place with Steve carrying the beat)
Thanks for posting, Terry and Patty. Steve and I had a couple of classes together in high school and I recall his sense of humor and smile vividly. After seeing his band play at the dances, I was immediately impressed as to how talented musically, he was. Later, I got to know Steve's older brother, Ed. I know many of our classmates will miss him. Rest in Peace, Cearley...
I am so glad we Waltrip HS grads have this site with its managers letting us know about our childhood friends.
I remember Steve Cearly. I always thought he was more shy than the group of guys in the group with which he socialized. He seemed to be more quiet for sure, but they seemed to always be calling out to him, so I understood he was someone important to his friends.
It has taken me awhile to submit my feelings about you and now that I am, I hope I do justice for what I express. Our frienship began in grade school, not so much at OFE, but at the NW YMCA. Ed, your older brother was my counsellor at the "Y",you and I hung out all summer there, were on the swim team,went to summer camp in the hill country and quickly became best friends. I got to know your family well and actually Ed, your brother was already a friend of my older sister. Our friendship grew as we reached high school ( Waltrip) and then we began to just tear up Oak Forest and beyond. I played sports and you were just an incredibly talented musician. Everything you touched regarding music, you just excelled. You formed a band in HS, named Cearley and the Crabs and you played frequently at the Friday nite dance at Oaks Chrisrian Church. We, all of your good friends, thought we were so cool because we knew the leader of the band.
I remember fondly hanging out in your attic listening to LZ #1, the Moody Blues and Cream, volume on ultra high. Went to some many concerts that I cannot remember.One highlight though, you, Knox and I snuck into Jones Hall to see Jimi Hendrix, and left with our eyes popping wide. We cruised all over OF, so many years and having so much fun. You came to all of our BB games and you were our biggest fan, it meant so much to us. The summer of my Sr. year, I life guarded at the Houston Country Club and you would often pick me up after work often and we would go crusing. I remember that nite you brought a tape recorder up to the club and we began recording some really crazy stuff, for our ears only. I think about that now and then and oh I wish I still had that tape. I could write so much more as there was so much more to our friendship.
I am writing incorrectly regarding present/past tense, 1st/2nd person, do not care, I am writing about a very special person. Last time I saw Steve was the summer of 1987. Out of the blue he contacted me,and Steve, my six month old daughter and I went to a memorial service for coach Ronny Truett(?) from BJH. I lost track after that and feel very bad having done so.
Steve was liked by so many people, had so many friends and is remembered for being such a gentle, likable person and being kind hearted to all around.
Steve, I know that a lot of friends miss you. I do know that three friends in particular, miss you lots; Tim F. and Bob Holland and Frank Banning. we were lucky to have you and if you were here today , we would tell you that we love you man. PEACE my friend!!!
Thanks Frank for your really moving memories and tribute. Steve was a really great guy that I wish I had spent more time with him in school. It took Bob Holland's comment about the drums upstairs in his house (yes it was just about the only Oak Forest house with an upstairs, on a corner and very close to BJH) to unlock my musical memories with him. I got to play music with him a few times upstairs. Sorry to hear that he is gone but his wonderful spirit and positive impact lives on in those who knew him.
Frank, that was a really heartfelt message you sent about Steve. I first met Steve in elementary school and he was so much fun to be around. Such a funny and warm hearted person. I went to my first girl/boy party at his house in the upstairs party room. I think there was a spinning bottle. I was sad when I heard he died so young . I also remember that a group of us went to Theatre Surburbia to see a play that I believe his Dad wrote. Rest in peace Steve and you are missed.
Patricia (Patty) Reid
What a beautiful man Steve became. His heart was huge & giving, & he was hilarious! You are missed!
Bob Holland
Steve was an old time buddy of mine all the way back to Oak Forest Elementary. I was always amazed he lived in house that had an upstairs in Oak Forest. We spent many a good time upstairs in the early years with his older brother Ed sometimes entertaining us. Later on Steve would be banging his drums upstairs and we would be listening to rock and roll really load. He was a hilariously funny and great guy. RIP buddy....
LONG LIVE CEARLY AND THE CRABS-(His band that played sometimes at the Secret Place with Steve carrying the beat)
Michael (Mike) Benestante
Thanks for posting, Terry and Patty. Steve and I had a couple of classes together in high school and I recall his sense of humor and smile vividly. After seeing his band play at the dances, I was immediately impressed as to how talented musically, he was. Later, I got to know Steve's older brother, Ed. I know many of our classmates will miss him. Rest in Peace, Cearley...
Crista Beinhorn (Reuss Glover)
I am so glad we Waltrip HS grads have this site with its managers letting us know about our childhood friends.
I remember Steve Cearly. I always thought he was more shy than the group of guys in the group with which he socialized. He seemed to be more quiet for sure, but they seemed to always be calling out to him, so I understood he was someone important to his friends.
Crista Beinhorn Reuss Glover
Frank Banning
It has taken me awhile to submit my feelings about you and now that I am, I hope I do justice for what I express. Our frienship began in grade school, not so much at OFE, but at the NW YMCA. Ed, your older brother was my counsellor at the "Y",you and I hung out all summer there, were on the swim team,went to summer camp in the hill country and quickly became best friends. I got to know your family well and actually Ed, your brother was already a friend of my older sister. Our friendship grew as we reached high school ( Waltrip) and then we began to just tear up Oak Forest and beyond. I played sports and you were just an incredibly talented musician. Everything you touched regarding music, you just excelled. You formed a band in HS, named Cearley and the Crabs and you played frequently at the Friday nite dance at Oaks Chrisrian Church. We, all of your good friends, thought we were so cool because we knew the leader of the band.
I remember fondly hanging out in your attic listening to LZ #1, the Moody Blues and Cream, volume on ultra high. Went to some many concerts that I cannot remember.One highlight though, you, Knox and I snuck into Jones Hall to see Jimi Hendrix, and left with our eyes popping wide. We cruised all over OF, so many years and having so much fun. You came to all of our BB games and you were our biggest fan, it meant so much to us. The summer of my Sr. year, I life guarded at the Houston Country Club and you would often pick me up after work often and we would go crusing. I remember that nite you brought a tape recorder up to the club and we began recording some really crazy stuff, for our ears only. I think about that now and then and oh I wish I still had that tape. I could write so much more as there was so much more to our friendship.
I am writing incorrectly regarding present/past tense, 1st/2nd person, do not care, I am writing about a very special person. Last time I saw Steve was the summer of 1987. Out of the blue he contacted me,and Steve, my six month old daughter and I went to a memorial service for coach Ronny Truett(?) from BJH. I lost track after that and feel very bad having done so.
Steve was liked by so many people, had so many friends and is remembered for being such a gentle, likable person and being kind hearted to all around.
Steve, I know that a lot of friends miss you. I do know that three friends in particular, miss you lots; Tim F. and Bob Holland and Frank Banning. we were lucky to have you and if you were here today , we would tell you that we love you man. PEACE my friend!!!
John (Zenie) Reddick
Thanks Frank for your really moving memories and tribute. Steve was a really great guy that I wish I had spent more time with him in school. It took Bob Holland's comment about the drums upstairs in his house (yes it was just about the only Oak Forest house with an upstairs, on a corner and very close to BJH) to unlock my musical memories with him. I got to play music with him a few times upstairs. Sorry to hear that he is gone but his wonderful spirit and positive impact lives on in those who knew him.
Karen Counseller (Beavers)
Frank, that was a really heartfelt message you sent about Steve. I first met Steve in elementary school and he was so much fun to be around. Such a funny and warm hearted person. I went to my first girl/boy party at his house in the upstairs party room. I think there was a spinning bottle. I was sad when I heard he died so young . I also remember that a group of us went to Theatre Surburbia to see a play that I believe his Dad wrote. Rest in peace Steve and you are missed.