Stephen “Steve” Michael McCord, 62, of Mooresville, N.C., passed away on Tuesday, April 12, 2023.

Steve was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He is the son of Patrick and Joan McCord, and was preceded in death by his brother, Patrick “PJ” McCord, his best friend.

A lover of the outdoors and a competitive sportsman, Steve could frequently be found taking a boat ride on Lake Norman or a walk in the woods in Comers Rock, always searching for his latest challenge. And while he had many successes as a fisherman and hunter, the experience of enjoying these activities with his loved ones was his greatest triumph of all.

This was emulated by his infamous fishing strategy to always fish “where the fish are.”

In fishing and in life, Steve always focused on the experience rather than the outcome. Whether he was in the halls of Wells Fargo, the sidelines of a ball field, or at home in Lake Norman, Steve always sought to make every day the best day possible for those around him.

In addition to the great outdoors, there was nothing Steve loved more than being a mentor to others. He was the world’s best father to his four children and “Papa” to his two grandchildren. His devotion knew no bounds, and he was always willing to go the extra mile to support his kids in anything they wanted to do.

Those who loved him know that Steve was the guy you wanted in your corner for the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. He would tell you like it is and put on his “rally cap” when you needed it the most. And there was never a situation that he could not find a sports metaphor for.

We are incredibly grateful for the “perfect days” we have had together, but no amount of days with Steve would have been enough.

Steve is survived by his wife, Nancy McCord; father, Patrick McCord; mother, Joan McCord; son, James McCord; daughter Marissa McCord; daughter Emily McCord; son, Michael McCord; son-in-law Christopher Sword; daughter in-law, Kimberly McKeever; grandsons, Fletcher and Greyson Sword; sister, Anne Sileo; sister Karen McCord Hill; sister, Marybeth Flynn; brothers-in-law, Bill Flynn and Bob Sileo; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

A celebration of life service will be held by the family on Saturday, April 15, at 3 p.m. at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the North Carolina’s Wildlife and Outdoor Recreation Foundation to support conservation efforts at https://www.ncworf.org/priority-land-conservation.

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the McCord family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.