I was told of Steve’s passing about a week ago. True friend and a friend for life even though we lost contact for a few years. You will be missed by many. We’ve lost a really talented guy. Rest in peace my friend.

~ John Manly - July 17, 2023

Steve and I played husband and wife twice. Never romantically involved in real life. Just pretend. Two shows in Albuquerque NM. He was the best make believe husband a girl could have because Steve was a gentleman to the core of his humanity. He was a man among men but outshone them all. We know how hilarious he was, but the kindness and compassion shown right through to his toes. We love you Mr Costello. You will be missed ??Godspeed my old friend

~ Augusta Allen-Jones - June 13, 2023

Steve I have always and will always love you! The world will not be as bright without your shining light! I will never forget you showing your love to me with Little Bunny Foo-Foo! I forgive you!

~ Stephanie Foster - June 10, 2023

Your Goobers will never forget you. Thank your for sharing your journey with us, inspiring us, entertaining us. You are and will be missed.

~ Elaine Sample - June 10, 2023

October 1975 I stood behind the teachers desk, an embarrassed “new kid” joining my new elementary school home room class. Mrs. Elliot would introduce me as soon as the other kids settled down as they came in from recess.
I had dressed that morning in western shirt, and jean jacket. My hair a short Pixie cut. Mrs. Elliot barley got the words out of her mouth that a new student was joining when a little boisterous Steve Castello yelled out with an exclamation larger than life “alright another boy now we’re even”. I stepped out from behind the desk and the classroom erupted into laughter. You see I was a very young girl wearing my western jean skirt and boots. …now you have the rest of the story. As God had planned, a little tomboy had met a friend for life. The only open desk in the classroom was in front of Steve. In an effort to counteract his embarrassment, little Steven leaned forward and announced a little loudly in my ear, “I’m going to call you George”. Yes even little Steve had wit, and liked to tease people in a good humor sort of way. We quickly became friends, I listened to his drumming fingers on the desk behind me through countless tests. I played speedball and basketball with him at lunch, I rode bikes in “the pits” with him. The Nick name didn’t stick, he changed it to Chuck during middle school but even that did not stick. He was the only person that ever called me by those two names. In Highschool he finally readied to call me Cat along with all my other classmates. We lost touch for a while after Highschool, but when we met back up with each other it was like we had never parted. Anyone that Steve called friend was a friend for life. Steve , me, myself and I will see you again on the other side for the Vail. Love “Cat”

~ Catherine Fleming - June 10, 2023

Steve will always be in my heart! He was the nicest, craziest and someone who could make you laugh when you didn't want to! I loved him with my whole heart ! Julie Groseclose Ferguson

~ Julie Ferguson - June 7, 2023

I just learned of Steve’s passing today and I share my sincere condolences with his family. I’m so proud to have been a part of Steve’s life, if only for this brief time he was here on Earth. He was such a character and so full of wisdom and humor. He made me laugh numerous time with his hilarious observations on life. Thank you, God, for placing him in my path and showing him Your ever-present love and comfort through his last battle here on Earth. Godspeed my dear. You are now free of all pain and despair. Fly high, Rocket Man.

~ Patti Kisner - May 31, 2023

Steve and I met in high school and became friends while I worked at Roswell Cinemas. His friend Kyle Black was in charge of the projector and used to hold “late night” showings after the manager went home. We would sneak beer in the back door and party in the theater until it was time to go home. I then moved to Abq. my senior year and met up with Steve again at UNM. My best friend Mike Grossman and I would frequently hang out with Steve our freshman year. Thanks to Facebook I was able to keep track of his later years and saw how happy he was with his beautiful wife and family and especially his pups. Rest in peace Steve. You are/were loved by so many ??

~ Amy Scheidt Sanchez - May 28, 2023

Late night country cruises in a 63 Chevy truck. A 6 pack of Schmitz Malt Liquor tall boys and 2 qts of Coors. Bob Segar and the Silver Bullit Band rolling through the speakers.
Good times.

~ Dana Wilcox - May 26, 2023

Gone too soon my friend. I enjoyed knowing you and having you at the dinner table more than once. You where always someone to look up to. I loved all your stories thru the years and will miss those. Rest now and like Brenda said leave a light on for us. Much love Cyndi

~ cyndi corman mitchell - May 24, 2023

You are missed my brother. You will always have a place in our hearts and memories. Prayers for your family. Carry on my wayward son. There'll be peace when you are done.

~ Steve Hazelbaker - May 23, 2023

My sincere condolences to the family, friends and loved-ones of Steve.
I briefly worked with Steve at a radio station in New Mexico. Although I did not know him well,
without question, he was one of the most talented and creative individuals that I've ever met.
May The Lord rest the soul of Stephen Castello!

~ Prince Michael Jauregui - May 23, 2023

~ Robert Darrow

I do a weekly newsletter and this was what I sent out the week we lost Steve.

Tough Tuesday with Tim
Which is why it’s a day late.

I had a really cool digital marketing tip planned for this week, but that idea spiraled on Monday afternoon.

We were having a good Monday. Had a couple great meetings that morning and we were getting ready for a meeting with a client just after lunch.

Then I got a text about 2:15pm that said “Tim, he passed about 45 minutes ago”.

Completely stopped me in my tracks. I had just been to see him at the Hospice house Saturday afternoon and Amy and I were going to head up there as soon as she got off work that afternoon.

While I had only known him for a little less than a decade, he was like the older brother I never had. We picked on each other relentlessly. Sometimes even got mad at each other defending our favorite sports teams. When my Wildcats beat his LSU Tigers in the Texas Bowl year before last, I thought he would never talk to me again.

But a couple days after the game we picked up right where we left off. When he told me last year that he had cancer I knew he was tough and would fight like hell. And he did, through chemo, through radiation, through immuno therapy. He wasn’t giving up. We would text almost every day and I tried to be my smart ass self because I didn’t want him to know how scared I was for him.

He called me a couple Friday’s ago while I was on my way to Kansas City to experience the Draft. When the phone rang, I had a bad feeling. His voice was shaky, and he wasn’t himself. He had been miserable sick from treatments. He told me he loved me like a brother and that he had decided that afternoon to stop treatment. My first thought was his family. His wife truly was the center of his universe. He was loved by all, especially his two dogs who he wrote about daily on Facebook. I will miss those posts because they were hilarious and edgy enough that he got put in Facebook jail a couple times.

It was his writing that brought him to us. He was brilliant and he loved what he did. He and I (mainly he) were the only two people in the national company we used to work for who had won a Radio Mercury Award. We were the only ones to sweep every creative category at the Kansas Association of Broadcasters awards. He and I won some kind of creative award every year that he was in Topeka.

We thought alike, he was just much funnier and more creative than I was. I would give him the ideas and off he would go. I’ll say it again and a million times. He was the most brilliant writer I had crossed paths with in my 30 years in marketing.

We were both high maintenance, we were both high strung, all mixed in with some ADHD and a lot of attitude. I didn’t know what to say when I started writing this, but one thing I know for sure is that this world will be a little less bright, a little less funny, and a little less theatrical. Yet for me, it will always be pretty damn amazing because I had the chance to know him for the few short years that I did.

He would always say, “Timmy, you’re my brother from another Mother”.

That we were Steve…that we were!

Love ya buddy.

~ Tim Kolling - May 20, 2023

I feel as though I have lost a son. He added love and joy and charisma to our lives. Thank you Steve for all you gave. You are very sorely missed.

~ Sharon Eaith - May 20, 2023

My Uncle Steve... wow this is heartbreaking for so many. He was such a funny guy, inspirational and quick witted to say the least. My father loved him like he was his brother, and the feeling was mutual, which Is how he became my Uncle Steve. I remember when my dad called in on one of those " be caller number 9" things on the radio back when Uncle Steve was on the air. My Dad asked him, "Am I caller #9?" and Uncle Steve said "do you want to be?" LOL. Many more memories like those I have of him. He was always so funny. Made me smile everytime I EVER SPOKE TO HIM.
In ancient cultures, there were people known as sacred clowns who were considered holy men who healed people with humor. I'm pretty sure my Uncle fit this criteria. He spoke truth to power and was humble in nature. My heart goes out to all his friends and family. The world lost a good one, but he lives on in the memories he gave us all. May God bless.

~ Jamieson Smith - May 20, 2023

We will miss you my friend, one thing for sure Heaven got much funnier on May 15th so keep em all laughing up there. With the the grace of God I will see you again one day. We will keep your family in our prayers and heart
God Speed my friend

~ Carlton Hopkins - May 20, 2023

To the Castello Family - Our deepest sympathies for your loss. We wish you peace and comfort during this sad time.

Vicki and George Karabinus
(friends of Tom and Brenda)

~ Vicki and George Karabinus - May 20, 2023

I’m sad you’re gone but now you’re free. I love you brother. F-Bama

~ gray young - May 20, 2023

Gonna miss you Brother.

~ Glede Holman - May 20, 2023

Bama Sucks! Go Tigers! Gonna miss you Steve. Your dignity during your fight was an inspiration to all. Rest easy friend.

~ Jim Cooper - May 20, 2023

The world is a bit dimmer without Steve's light. He was our King Goober and will be more than missed. Fly high my friend and leave a light on for us. Til I see you again...all my love! Deepest condolences to Teresa and all the Castello family.

~ Brenda Morrow - May 19, 2023

We shared so many laughs and good times. Steve was one of the most gentle, loving, funny and creative people I’ve ever known. Steve I will miss you, until we meet again brother……

~ Marty Watson - May 19, 2023

Goodbye my dear friend....I will miss your stories and your sense of humor.
...Alabama sucks.....

~ Tobby Smith - May 19, 2023

From high school to present day, Steve’s comedic wit and positive energy was omnipresent (and always welcome) Through the last several years we shared our admiration of Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and love of our dogs and continuous humor throughout - Steve fought the cancer battle head on - with the most honorable of attitudes, never losing hope and rallying his friends and loved ones into a magnificent Goober Army- we helped keep his spirits up and he kept ours even more positive- his time on Earth was well used and he will be fondly remembered by so many- sending lots of love to Theresa, Dakota and Raven- and also to Frannie and Rupert.

~ Patti Sawyer - May 19, 2023

We didn't know each other personally. I knew "of" you. A part of me aspired to be more like you. Many times I thought of "I wonder what he is doing now?" Social media made that possible. You inspired so many people. Your legacy will continue. You made a difference in this world. Godspeed brother.

~ George Hazelbaker - May 19, 2023

The world lost a light that shined bright. We can all agree that we
received a Guardian Angel when the light dimmed. Bro you will be missed by many. Teresa, Dakota, Raven, and family you are in my thoughts and prayers.

~ Brenda Salm - May 19, 2023