Stephen Jacobs

Stephen Jacobs, 87, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in Houston, Texas. Steve was born on April 19, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York, to the late Abraham and Lillian Jacobs. Steve graduated from Pratt Institute in 1959, on a full dean’s scholarship. He was excited to start working at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia where he had a “moment in time” at Patrick Henry Field airport, realizing he was beginning his new life and career. He then moved to Houston in 1962 to further his career in Heat Transfer Materials at Johnson Space Center and begin his famous carpool era. Steve met his first wife, Ruth, and had three children: Lon, Devon, and Heather. Steve was a wonderful father to his kids. He focused on enjoyment in life and always made time to be with his children. Whether it was movies on a Saturday night or a summer vacation to Six Flags, he made sure everyone was having fun. He later married Ruby in 1984 and added three more children, Melissa, Eric, and Robert, to the mix. Eventually there would be marriages and together they would have fourteen grandchildren. Brynne, Lindsay, Noah, McKenna, Gabrielle, Maxwell, Alexandra, Bailee, Cassie, Kyle, Kory, Sierra, Jenna, and Miranda each enjoyed a close relationship with an attentive and fun “P-pah” as they were growing up. After 35 years, Steve retired from NASA and went on to work at Borders Bookstore – just for fun. He then started SJ Chess School and taught many of our area youngsters (and a few of his own grandchildren) about his love for chess. Other favorite pastimes included ping pong, doubles tennis, reading, Toastmasters, poker nights, Scrabble, watching boxing matches, attending the Texas Renaissance Festival, and eating Oreos. Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Lil and Al, his doting wife, Ruby, and his loving sister, Marsha Hogarth. He is survived by his previous wife of 10 years and friend of 63 years, Ruth Jacobs. His memory will also be cherished by his children: Heather and Mark Foox, Lon and Melissa Jacobs, Devon Jacobs and Shannon Jacobs, Melissa King, Eric Eden, and Robert Eden, as well as his fourteen grandchildren. Steve was a gentle, kind, sweet man who will be missed by all who knew him. A funeral service took place on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at 2:00 pm in the Kagan-Rudy Chapel at Emanu El Memorial Park, 8341 Bissonnet Street, Houston, Texas 77074.

Stephen Jacobs

April 19, 1938 - October 15, 2025