Obituary of Stephen A. Moss

Stephen Allen Moss

June 25, 1945-May 4, 2026

Stephen “Steve” A. Moss, age 80 longtime Iowa City resident and businessman, passed away at his home, Monday, May 4, 2026, surrounded by his family, his dog, and so much love and support from so many.

Graveside services with military honors and words shared by some will be held at 1pm Friday, May 8, 2026, at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City.  Services ( a “party” as Steve would say) celebrating this amazing man will be held at a later date to be announced.   Memorial donations can be made in Steve’s honor to Iowa City High School Athletics. To share thoughts, memories or condolences please visit Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service website @ www.gayandciha.com.  Also updates will be posted on the website.

Stephen Allen Moss was born June 25, 1945 in Iowa City, IA to Kenneth Allen and Janice Ruth (Gilbert) Moss. Stephen grew up going to school in the Iowa City school district and graduated from City High with the class of 1963.

Stephen pursued his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Iowa where he participated in wrestling and was part of the ROTC program. Stephen graduated from the University of Iowa in 1968, and enrolled in the US Army. During his time in the Army, he served in Korea during the Vietnam war since his brother, David Moss was already stationed in Vietnam. 

During his time in the Army, Stephen was based in Colorado Springs, while pursuing a Masters degree from Colorado State, Colorado Springs with a degree in Sports Management. 

After graduating with his Masters degree, Stephen landed his first job working in Croton-on-Hudson in NY, working for the city in the recreation department. After a brief stay in New York, Stephen chose to be closer to family and moved back to the Midwest where he began working for the Recreation division in Oak Park, Illinois. That experience ultimately helped him land the role of Director of Recreation in Grinnell, IA where his first order of business was hiring a camp counselor, Sonya (German) Moss. 

Stephen and Sonya’s relationship blossomed and they moved to Iowa City, IA to be back in his hometown which allowed Stephen to pursue his career in sales with Musco lighting.

Stephen proposed to Sonya after the Iowa v Iowa State football game - and the rest is history. 47 years of marriage, 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 4 grand dogs. 

Steve retired at the age of 45 to build his own portfolio of ventures to keep himself busy as well as to continue to support his family. One of his most proud investments was in the Iowa City Tennis and Fitness club, which was renamed to North Dodge Athletic Club under his ownership. Steve wanted more facilities for youth athletics, so he added a full size gymnasium for basketball and volleyball programs which are still used to this day.

Stephen was an athlete and a coach, spending two years coaching travel baseball and taking the Iowa City Bulls/Silver Hawks to the World Series and various travel tournaments. Steve was one who practiced what he preached.  He would awake at 5:30am to workout and then go hit the links at Elks Golf course and play sometime 27 holes before the day was over. A lifetime athlete!

Stephen's greatest joys in life were his family. He loved traveling, attending sporting events, playing poker with his high school buddies (4 decade run), the Iowa Hawkeyes, the Iowa State fair, Adventureland, visiting the old west (loved his cowboy shows), and sharing his love of the “good old days.” His favorite family vacations were driving trips throughout Arizona, Colorado, Tennessee and beach vacations in Florida. 

Stephen is preceded in death by his son, Skyler Moss; parents, Kenneth and Janice Moss; father-in-law, Larry German, and sister-in-law, Janet Moss.

His family includes his wife, Sonya (German) Moss; daughters, Stephanie Moss and Stacy Zeller  (Luke), and their children, Gavin, Logan; daughter-in-law, Sarah Moss and her children, Brady, Sloan, Jagger; mother-in-law, Donna German; Steve’s siblings, David  Moss, Sharon Thirtyacre (Darwin), Jerry  Moss (Terri Blume); Sonya’s siblings, Randy German (Peggy), Rick German , and Scott German (Suzy); and an abundance of nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends.

Steve’s family wishes to express their deepest gratitude for the sincere, compassionate care provided by all the doctors, nurses and other staff members at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.  Also the care provided to Steve and his family by Suncrest Hospice will never be forgotten, thank you to all!