Stephen "Steve" Vujovich
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Stephen "Steve" Vujovich, 97, passed away on Easter evening surrounded by his loving family.
Steve was born July 1, 1924 in So. St. Paul, Minnesota to Obren and Zlatana Vujovich from the former Yugoslavia. Steve was the youngest of five children. He's preceded in death by Patricia, Gilbert, John, and Peter.
After graduating from So. St. Paul high school he served in WWII in the Army. Post war he attended and graduated from North Dakota State University where he played varsity football and basketball, graduating with a BS in education.
He married Joan Japa of So. Bend Indiana in 1953. Steve and Joan had 3 daughters: Denise, Patricia "Patty", and Jeanne "Gigi".
In the early 80s, Steve left a successful corporate job in Minneapolis to start a new business venture and moved the family to Salisbury, North Carolina. He owned and operated GFC Corporation, which was a family affair with Joan, Patty, and Gigi; all learning the business.
40 years ago, after selling the business, and the death of his daughter Patty, Steve and his family moved to Charlotte. After moving, he then owned and operated several businesses and real estate holdings.
Steve valued the importance of education which translated to his love of poetry as well as being a voracious reader. His favorite book, The Lost Horizon, gave him insight to the splendor of Shangri-La; and his favorite poem, Chartless, gave him a view of Heaven.
Steve is survived by his wife of 68 years, Joan Japa Vujovich, daughters Denise (Bill Crawford) and Jeanne "Gigi" (David Stanton), and two loving grandchildren, Stephen and Rachel Stanton.
In lieu of flowers, Steve would appreciate donations to the Steve Vujovich Scholarship:
Steve Vujovich Scholarship
So. St. Paul Educational Foundation
521 Marie Ave
So. St. Paul, MN 55075
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com for the Vujovich family.