The Reverend Steven James Gellatly, 69, of Marietta, South Carolina passed away on May 7, 2026, at home under hospice care after a courageous battle with spinocerebellar ataxia type 8 (SCA8).
Born in Alhambra, California on June 23, 1956, Steve received a bachelor’s degree from California State University – Los Angeles. He graduated with a Master of Divinity from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in 1982. Steve spent 40 years serving and dedicating his life to ministering to multiple Lutheran congregations in Ohio, beginning with his first call in Portsmouth in 1982, followed by congregations in Hamilton, Tipp City, Russells Point, and West Milton.
Steve showed integrity, compassion, and faithfulness in all aspects of his life. He deeply loved his wife and family. He led by example and ministry was the very fiber of his being. Some of his favorite times were fostering the faith of our youth through the Youth Gathering, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. There his humor and love of fun were on full display. His desire to serve stretched beyond the church and far into the community where he volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, Rotary, Hospice Chaplain, LSIM (Lutheran Saints in Ministry), and numerous other interfaith community events.
Steve loved exploring the world with his family, especially with his wife. Some of his favorite memories came from trips shared by just the two of them. He enjoyed relaxing with a good book or completing puzzles while listening to jazz music. Steve will be remembered for his sense of humor. One of his favorite things was making his daughters laugh, and he kept everyone laughing up until the end. His unselfish service to others, his devotion to the congregations he served, and his love of his family and those around him will endure forever.
Even in death, Steve continues his acts of service and care for others by donating his brain and spinal cord to research. He hoped that through his donation to the Brain Support Network, researchers could gain more information about his rare disease to benefit others in the future.
Steve is survived by his wife of 42 years, Loretta Jean Gellatly; two daughters, Christine Bristow and husband, Brook Bristow of Greer, SC and Sarah Miles and husband, Dr. Chris Miles of Marietta, SC; their “German daughter” Kristin Zimmerman; grandchildren, Knox and Millie James Bristow; brother, John Gellatly and wife, Jill; brother-in-law, Bill Leuby and wife, Marion.
A Celebration of Life service will take place at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Greer, South Carolina on May 16, 2026, at 11:00 am. with The Rev. Elise T. Stringer officiating. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Since this is a celebration of Steve’s life, the family would prefer attendees to wear colorful clothes.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made to one of the following organizations in honor of Steve: Brain Support Network, PO Box 7264, Menlo Park, CA 94026 or Prisma Health Hospice of the Foothills-Greenville, 440 Roper Mountain Road, Suite C, Greenville, or Redeemer Lutheran Church Youth Gathering, 300 Oneal Rd. Greer, SC.
