Stephen O. Lantrip, lately of Norman, Oklahoma, died in his sleep around Nov. 1 in his home at the age of 73.

Steve is survived by his daughter Deborah Jean Erwin, his son-in-law Justin Erwin, their children Daisy, Samuel, Augustus, Rebekah, Ida Mae, Susannah, Amos, and Joyce Ann Erwin; his sister Peggy Astarita, brother-in-law Art Astarita, sister Nancy Ryan, niece Tracey Ann Aus and family; aunt Mary Dixon (Lantrip), her husband Robert; cousin Jim Huskisson and family, and many sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews in his wife's family. He was preceded in death by his wife Donna Jean Lantrip (Austin), his mother Betty Opal, father Charles Wesley, father-in-law and mother-in-law Lloyd and Joyce Austin, as well as his step-mother Kathrine Elizabeth Lantrip.

Steve was born in Austin, TX, on October 9,1948 to Betty Opal and her husband. He attended St. Stephen's Episcopal School in Austin and graduated from the University of Texas in 1973, after living in Venezuela and Indonesia with his father Charles who was a petroleum engineer. Donna's father also worked in Indonesia and it was here that the two met and fell in love over summer break from college. They were married December 28, 1972.

Steve was one of a new class of auditors in the 1970's who used computers to manage accounts. It was this field that Steve would develop and expand throughout his career at Zale Corp. and then at the Army Air Force Exchange Service in Dallas, Tx. He was a founding member of the Dallas chapter of ISACA, which today offers professional training for many in the information systems and governance areas of technology concerns.

Steve was a problem solver. From his latest nickname, Sudoku Steve to his midlife years in Cedar Hill, Tx, where he created the first public broadcast church service for First Christian Duncanville, Steve loved mullling over things that stumped everyone else. After Debbie was born, he and Donna worked on the puzzle of parenting well together.

In August 2000, Steve welcomed his first grandchild and set out with Donna to be the grandpa who was there for everything. After Donna's death in 2012, Steve settled into their small home minutes from OU where relatives often gathered before gameday events. He missed Donna dearly, but was often surrounded by her family and his neighbors who were drawn to his witty insights on life and inquisitive personality.

Steve loved to eat good food. Everywhere he traveled, he searched out the local, homemade quality places to dine. In his last years, Steve was a local food guide and took great pains to accurately describe the service and specials of many Norman area restaurants. Steve also was always on the lookout for the under-recognized in the community, taking the time to tip the dishwasher at his local favorite breakfast spot. His generous spirit and curious mind will be missed by all.

Funeral services will be held on Thurs. Nov. 11, 2021 at Vondel Smith Mortuary South Lakes, 4000 SW 119th St, Okc, OK at 1:00 pm with internment following directly.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Stephen's Episcopal School in Austin, Tx.