Steven Karl Arndt

Steven Karl Arndt, 65, of Houston, Texas, passed away on August 10, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was a devoted husband, father and Pawpaw; a man of deep Catholic faith; a loyal friend; a respected businessman; and, to his family, a mountain of a man whose presence will be profoundly missed. Steven was born in Houston on January 2, 1961, to Gus and Margaret Arndt. The oldest of three children, he grew up alongside his brother, Brian, and sister, Karen. His family were longtime parishioners of St. Theresa Catholic Church, where Steven attended elementary school and where his family will now gather to celebrate his life. Steven attended St. Thomas High School, an institution and brotherhood that remained important to him throughout his life. He played football and often spoke fondly of those years and the lifelong friendships he formed. Many of those friends later stood beside him as groomsmen at his wedding, and his connection to St. Thomas continued through future generations of the Arndt family. Steven had known Renee for nearly his entire life. They grew up together in Houston and married on October 2, 1982, beginning a marriage that would span nearly 44 years. Together they raised three children: Kristen, Clayton and Cameron. Steven took tremendous pride in providing for his family. He was a steadfast and devoted father who taught his children through both his words and by his example. There was always a lesson, a tidbit of advice or one of Dad's phrases to remember, but at their core they came down to the same principles: be a decent person, show up, put in the work, keep your word and give a little more than what is expected. More than 42 years ago, Steven founded Gulf Coast Landscape Services, a company that became, in many ways, his fourth child. He poured his work ethic, determination and heart into building it and took tremendous pride not only in the work they performed, but in the relationships built along the way. Many who worked beside Steven became more than employees; they became friends and extended family. His six pallbearers and two honorary pallbearers are all part of his Gulf Coast family, having worked alongside him for 12 to 41 years—a testament to the loyalty and relationships he cultivated throughout his life. Steven was generous, devout, stubborn and deeply loving. He was kind but firm, a man of principle who never left you wondering where you stood with him. He wasn't bashful about sharing his opinions, and sometimes they weren't what you wanted to hear, but they were always sincere. His word meant something. If Steven said he was going to do something, he did it. His Catholic faith was central to his life and a source of tremendous strength and comfort. He prayed the Rosary every day, often more than once, and relied deeply on his faith through life's greatest challenges. After suffering a stroke in 2018, Steven's life changed considerably. The years that followed softened him in some ways and deepened his appreciation for what mattered most. He welcomed phone calls and visits, treasured time with those he loved and embraced one of his greatest and most cherished roles: Pawpaw. Nothing brought Steven greater joy than his grandchildren. He loved them fiercely. He wanted to hear about their days, listen to their stories and simply spend time with them. Hagen, Landon, Bailey, Emma and Levi didn't just know their Pawpaw loved them, they could feel it. Steven was happiest surrounded by family and friends. He loved hunting and spending time at Alemana Ranch, his happy place. He treasured the family's bay house, built by his father, Gus, in the 1970s, and in recent years spent countless hours renovating it alongside his brother Brian so future generations could continue making memories there. He and Renee also loved their annual trips to Cabo with close friends and family. Steven is survived by his wife and lifelong love, Renee; his children, Kristen and Matthew Weibel, Clayton and Natalie Arndt, and Cameron and Kylie Arndt; and his beloved grandchildren, Hagen, Landon, Bailey, Emma and Levi, and baby girl Arndt due in December. He is also survived by his brother, Brian Arndt, and his wife, Yvonne; his sister, Karen Fishbeck, and her husband, Russel; and his brother-in-law, Martin Kaase, and his wife, Leah. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gus and Margaret Arndt; his brothers-in-law, Gary Kaase and Terry Kaase; and his grandson, Beckett. Sixty-five years was far too young. There was so much more Steven wanted to see and experience with his family, and the void created by his absence feels almost too much to bear. It is especially difficult to imagine Steven without Renee at his side, or Renee without Steven at hers. They had known one another nearly their entire lives and spent almost 44 years as husband and wife. Through life's joys, challenges, illness and uncertainty, they remained committed to one another. In sickness and in health, they lived the vows they made to each other. Steven often said that as a father, he wanted to make life better for his children than it had been for him. He did. He gave his children a foundation of faith, family, hard work, loyalty and love. His legacy lives on in them and in his grandchildren, in Gulf Coast and the people who spent decades beside him, in lifelong friendships, and in the family traditions and places he loved. Steven Karl Arndt was deeply loved, and he will be profoundly missed. A viewing will be held on Thursday, August 20, 2026, from 8:30–9:30 a.m. at St. Theresa Catholic Church, followed by the Rosary and Funeral Mass. A reception will follow from 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to St. Thomas High School or St. Theresa Catholic Church.

Steven Karl Arndt

January 2, 1961 - August 10, 2026