Stephen D. McCloud

Stephen D. McCloud, 75, died in his home on Tuesday, May 9. He was born on October 20, 1947 in Terre Haute. He was the only child of Jack McCloud and Carolyn McGee McCloud. He attended Gerstmeyer High School and Indiana State University as a math major but got interested in computer programming very early. He worked as a freelance programmer for 10 years after graduation, including a stint with NASA. During this time, he enjoyed traveling and exploring around the western US by car. He finally took a permanent job as a systems programmer with the university, which he kept for 35 years until retirement in 2014. He loved the old IBM mainframes and was there to facilitate all of the advancements in computing for the university, in both hardware and software. He enjoyed programming and didn’t mind working 80-hour weeks and being there on weekends and holidays when no one was around so he could do more. For a time, he kept a sleeping bag in his office, according to a coworker. He was tenacious but generous, randomly giving away things and taking care of things for people.

Stephen also donated his time and talents as a volunteer. He helped organize the Wabash Valley Girls Softball League in 1990 and was very active in the construction of the five-diamond softball complex on the north side of Terre Haute in 1993. He helped build batting cages and a multiuse concession, restrooms, locker room, and offices building for Terre Haute North softball in 1995. Stephen was known for taking pictures of middle school and high school sports teams and travel teams in Terre Haute and the surrounding area. He posted and printed thousands of pictures of area athletics as a hobby. He loved sharing his talents with the community. You can visit his site at stephendmccloud.smugmug.com.

Stephen volunteered at the Exotic Feline Rescue Center from 2001 until about 2020. He took the best photos ever taken of the cats, according to the Center, and provided them for calendars, newsletters, magnets (which he made by hand), and online viewing. He was instrumental in publishing three books containing stories and pictures of the animals, to assist in awareness and fundraising: Saving the Big Cats (2006), Big Cat Rescues (2010), and Tails from the Exotic Feline Rescue Center (2016).

Stephen did not have children of his own but helped to raise three stepchildren during a 15-year marriage, Brian Heaton, of Anderson, SC, Brent Heaton of Terre Haute, IN, and Barbie Hendrix, of Clermont, FL. He is also survived by his longtime partner, Caryl Antalis of Indianapolis.

There will not be a funeral, but his close friends are planning a memorial service to celebrate his life. This will be advertised on his website noted above.

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