Stephen Kingsford

Stephen Kingsford, 73, of Joseph, passed away at his home on October 20, 2025. 

Stephen Leslie Kingsford was born on February 23, 1952, in Klamath Falls, Oregon to his loving parents, David Jack Kingsford and Lois Marie Kingsford. His family stayed in the Klamath Falls area until 1964 when they moved to Joseph, Oregon where Steve remained a well-liked and respected member of the community until he passed away quietly in his home on October 20, 2025.

He attended school in Joseph until he graduated in 1970. He then spent the next two years in Pendleton, Oregon attending Blue Mountain Community College until he graduated in 1972 with an associate degree in Police Science.

Steve returned to Joseph and began working in the timber industry, first as a logger then a mill worker for the Boise Cascade Corporation until the mill shut down in 1994. He then began commuting to the Elgin plant until he retired in 2014. Steve was well liked and made many lifelong friends during his career. He served as the Union secretary for a number of years and also served on a Forest Service ad hoc committee on the land use plan for the Imnaha River.

He met his wife, Genene, the love of his life, while she was in Joseph staying with a friend. It was love at first sight. She remained in Joseph to be with him, and they married two years later. They had 50 wonderful years together.

Steve had so many things he was interested in and enthusiastic about, from astronomy, archeology, and history to his great love and appreciation for the beauty of nature and the great outdoors. He loved plants and flowers of all kinds. His world revolved around his family, and he was always in teaching mode whether he knew it or not and therefore passed on his love of and interest in all these things to his wife, children, siblings and even his nieces and nephews. Steve was full of fun, planning treasure hunts for the kids, taking them on hikes, playing games, helping with homework etc. He was everything a dad should and could ever be.

He was preceded in death by his father, mother and sister Jackie Tippet.

Steve is survived by his wife, Genene; his son Cody of Joseph, his son Travis of Winchester, Idaho; sister Teri Nielson of Homedale, Idaho; brother-in-law Ben Tippet of Fruitland, Idaho, niece Stephanie Tippet of Parma, Idaho, Zach Tippet of Sandy, Oregon, Seth Tippett of Imnaha, Oregon, and Sarah Tippett of Meridian, Idaho.

 Online condolences can be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com