Istvan (Steve) Bela Lehoczky

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Jul 10th, 2015

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Death Date: Jul 10, 2015

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Biography: Istvan (Steve) Bela Lehoczky, 82, died Friday, July 10, 2015 after complications from an injury. He was born in Gyula, Hungary, the son of Istvan and Maria Lehoczky, sister Monci and brother Ocsi. He leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Carol (Wagoner) Lehoczky ; his son Pista; his son Tas and his wife Anouska ; his daughter Emese and her husband Collin; his grandson, Collin Elek Boone; his granddaughter, Aniko Francis Lehoczky, a large family in Hungary and many friends around the world. Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend was a freedom fighter in the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. After being shot and injured, he escaped to Austria and later immigrated to the United States. After moving to Little Rock in 1975, he opened a foreign car repair shop, where he worked for 30 years. His passion for soccer led him to become one of the founders of Arkansas? first competitive soccer league (Riverdale Soccer Club) and the head coach. After which, he coached Catholic High School for 15 years. He was a past president of the local Lions Club and a longstanding member of the Andy?s breakfast club. All who knew him loved him. His gregarious spirit was infectious and he never met a stranger. He was the life of the party and tried to instill in others to ?not sweat the small stuff?. He will truly be missed and may he rest in peace. A memorial service is planned for Wednesday, July 29 at Ruebel Funeral home at 4:00 p.m. followed by a reception. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com

Condolences(44)

Jack Weber

#44

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Hey guy,

I remember the good parties we had at the Bowen's house in Little Rock. Remember, I am Marieanne's brother. Also, we had a discussion about the timing chain on my BMW.
Rest in peace,
Jack

Scott Phillips

#43

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Deeply sorry for the loss of a truly great man. Carol...love you! You will b in great hands with those kids of yours and their families beside you!

Rita Garstad

#42

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dear Carol and all of Steve's beautiful family. Steve had a big heart, a love for life and an even bigger heart and love for his family. That love will live on here in every person who was touched by his generousity and spirit. With love and hugs to each of you.

JP MORELL

#41

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Mr. Lehoczky had a very kind heart and would light up any room. His son Tas was my friend and back in the mid 80's they took me in for a spell until I could get back on my feet. I was just a poor college student at the time. I will always remember him as a loving family man with a zestful taste for life. He was one of the good ones.

Marianne Bowen

#40

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

To Your Family, my deepest condolences, I hope Pischta will always find a good German beer in heaven. My love to all of you, Marieanne Bowen

Greg Vint

#39

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I got to know Steve as he maintained my BMW and considered him a friend. The fact that he was Emese's Father didn't hurt that friendship. I taught Emese DARE when she was in the 6th grade. Carol, Emese and Steve were/ have been great people to know.
I'll miss running into Steve at the antique store, grocery store, etc.
my prayers for the entire family.

Scott and Franca Choinski

#38

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

It was easy to love Steve the minute you met him. We will miss and honor him every time we drink Zwack and toast each time to this amazing man! You will never be forgotten.

Caroline Boone

#37

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Steve was always happy to see "Ma" at any of the Friday dinners or at Ems home.
Carol, Pista, Karina and Aniko, Tas and Anoushka, Collin, Emese and Elek
"Ma" will keep you all in my prayers. Steve is already having a goulash party in heaven.

Laszlo and Carolyn Fabian

#36

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

We are so sorry for your loss. Steve was the life of the party and was greatly missed when you moved to Little Rock. We will always remember those good times here in Tucson, so thankful you and Steve were able to come out here 2 years ago. May happy memories carry you and the family through this sorrowful time. Memories are the legacy of love. We love you.

Marty Sanady

#35

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Carol, Tas, Piesta, and Emese, I was taken aback when I heard the news of Piesta's passing. My heart goes out to all of you. You all were blessed to have such a great man as a husband and father. He was so full of life and vitality, he was infectious. He will be dearly missed by all who all who knew him. I will remember he, and his wonderful humor all of my days, and I know his life will live on in all of us.

Olga Luckett

#34

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dear family,
I say family because we always considered all of you family.
I always think of all the fun we had when you lived in Tucson. Phil loved Pista and he missed all of the fun that was to be had when we all got together.
Do you think Phil and Pista are together now with Zoli and some of the old gang.
I love all of you and I still miss all of you,
Olga and Aida

Karina Levy

#33

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Aniko has wonderful memories of her joyous, gregarious, and ever loving Tata! Celebrate his incredible life... as it lives on in his children, grandchildren, and in our hearts.

John Elekes

#32

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Pista personified the quintessential Hungarian-American icon larger than life. He will be missed by many and remembered by all. My sincere condolences to the Lehoczky family.

Don Denton

#31

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Emese:

So sorry for this loss to you and your family. I always heard great things about your dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Don Denton

Tony and Bobbie Noto

#30

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. What a wonderful man and friend. He was our "wedding singer" when we married. I'm sure he,Pete, and Deanie are having cocktails together.
How lucky the Noto Family is to have had him touch
our lives.RIP great man.

Donna Noto-Diaz and Wayne Diaz

#29

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I am so very sorry for your loss. There are never words to express such a loss. I remember all the great times, food and lots of drinks, at your house next door for all those years. Steve and my dad, Pete Noto (and my mom Deany) had some rowdy times, especially around the holidays and that strange and strong liquor Steve always I had. I'm sure Pete and he are having a few belts in heaven. Carol, I hope you are doing well. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family.

Donna Noto-Diaz and Wayne Diaz

#28

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I am so very sorry for your loss. There is never words to express such a loss. I remember all the great times, food and lots of drinks, at your house next door for all those years. Steve and my dad, Pete Noto (and my mom Deany) had some rowdy times, especially around the holidays and that strange and strong liquor Steve always I had. I'm sure Pete and he are having a few belts in heaven. Carol, I hope you are doing well. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family.912

Stephen Hanger

#27

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Tas, Carol, Pista, Emese and all of the Lehoczky family I'm very sad to hear of Steve passing. I always loved being around him and thought of him as my father too. Carol and him welcomed Kumi in with open arms and she will always remember his fun loving personality and kindness. He always had a smile on his face as he would say "Stevie, get over here and give me a hug you son of a bitch!" He was one of the best men I've ever known and we will miss him, but we won't forget him. We love you all.

Stephen and Kumi

Chris Stowers

#26

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I am so sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers to the family.

Jozsef "Zoli" Kantor's Family

#25

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

"Pista", we will always remember you with your great
and unconditional heart to help everybody, especially our father "Zoli". You were the father/brother figure for all the Hungarians in
Tucson and Nogales, Arizona where we spent memorable
moments with you. You will always be in our hearts. Love you all.

Lehoczky Öcsi és családja

#24

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Fogadj?tok őszinte r?szv?t?nket. szomoruan ?s f?jdalommal ?rtes?lt?nk a Pista hal?l?rol.Nyugodjon b?k?ben.Eml?k?t sziv?nkben őrizz?k.?csi , Ica, Ilcsi,Zolika, M?t

Carol Young

#23

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Emese, I am so sorry to learn about your dad's passing. You and your family are my thoughts and prayers. Special hugs for Elek.

Kathy Cook Kincaide

#22

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I haven't seen Carol or Cuz in along time,however his laugh still resonates my heart and soul. Carol,my thoughts are thinking of you and your family. I hope you know how many smiles Cuz put on my face,and the love that you both shared.Constantly in my thoughts ~~~ Much Love,Kathy

Terry Noto

#21

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Steve,
The world has lost a great man. There is no one that has ever disliked you.
Being your next door neighbor and third son, I will always cherish the time I had with you and your extended family. You were the greatest GOOD nut I have ever met. I hope you have many drinks in heaven with Pete Noto. You two were two peas in a pod. Thank you for letting me be part of your life. I will always love you.

Terry Noto

Armond and Wanda Fitzpatrick

#20

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

We will all miss him and his great GOULASH parties. Steve sure was a fun guy!
Carol, you and the family are in our thoughts and prayers. Love Armond and Wanda

Bill Wilson & Cathi Compton

#19

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Steve was a wonderful person - a delight to know.

Our deepest sympathy to his family.

Cathi Compton & Bill Wilson

Derya Arnet-Dokumaci

#18

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I'm so sorry about this big loss...Steve was such a good men. I met him when I was in Little Rock and met his whole family. Carol, Emese and Pista..I wish you power for this hard loss. I miss Steve a lot. You are in my prayers.

Derya Arnet-Dokumaci from Switzerland

Lori Llewellyn

#17

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Pista, Tas and family,
I am so very sorry to learn of Steve's passing. I know you will miss him greatly. He was one of a kind and a great help to my old Audi back in the day!
God's best,
Lori Llewellyn

Susan Burton Bryant

#16

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I am so sorry for your loss!Emese you have always been one of my favorite people and I have great memories of spending the nigh at your house and your mom and dad being so gracious and your dad's humor was like no other!Love ya! Susan B.

John Phillips

#15

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I am So sorry for your loss.

I'm unable to fully express the range and depth of my feelings for this man and his entire family; any attempt would feel thin and would fall flat.

But you all know this, so please accept my deepest condolences. I will miss him.

Love you all- John

Chad Hause

#14

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Steve you will be dearly missed

Chad and the Andy's Crew

Joel Tvedten

#13

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

His smile always brought out a smile to my face when I was lucky eough to say hello. My heart goes out to his family.

Andras Kovacs

#12

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Pista b?! (uncle Steve) the memories, fun and laugh we had together will never fade. We miss you! Carol, Emese and the guys, we are really sorry for you loss.

Kim Snell

#11

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I am so sorry for the loss of this amazing man! I met him when I was 11 at a party at my parent's (Norm and Carolyn Hynes) house! He was a lovely man and he will be greatly missed!

Philip Johnson

#10

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I feel a sense of deep sadness and loss at the passing of my dear friend "Steve". I first me Steve at Autohaus 40 years ago, because he was the only one who could keep my Karmen Ghia running, and those yearly auto inspections, what a pain! I could always depend on Steve. Since then I had the privilege of an abiding friendship with Steve and Carol and to contribute to the care of some of his medical needs. Everyone in the clinic enjoyed his visits because of his infectious personality. Steve was a "one of a kind" guy, dependable, genuine in every respect and I feel blessed to have been one of his friends.

Elizabeth Polk Haman

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Emese, I am sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Please know I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Amy Wagoner McLaurin

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I will always hear Steve's booming voice as he arrived at our family holiday gatherings: "Merry Christmas!!!" He always greeted me with a hug & kiss...such a memorable person!!! Even my kids remember, and they were quite young when they met him. He made quite an impression on everyone he met! He will be missed. You are ALL in my prayers.
Amy

James Lakey

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Steve you will be missed. I have been having flashbacks of time spent with Steve and his family since finding out his passing. Beautiful memories, beautiful family. I Love you all!

James Lakey

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Steve you will be missed. I have been having flashbacks of time spent with Steve and his family since finding out his passing. Beautiful memories, beautiful family. I Love you all!

Patrick Nuckle

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

My condolences to Carol, family and friends. It makes me sad to learn about his passing.

Trudy Ozment

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I am sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family

Sarah Knight

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

My love and prayers are with your family, and my sincere sympathy. I will miss Pista b?csi I can honestly say he was one of a kind and there will not be anyone like him again. No one knew how to have a good time like him. He will be missed by a lot of people. So sorry for your loss. God Bless!

Susan Abele

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I treasure all of the good times I have had with Steve and all of you. He was an amazing man! Sending love out to you all.

Mary Ellen Pyle

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

One of my favorite people. My world just got a little bit darker. You are all in my heart pocket.