The family of a Jefferson City man who for more than 60 years brought holiday joy to many who drove by his house to see his Christmas display is helping to start a tradition honoring him and others who have died.
The "Memory Tree" lighting will take place Thursday at the Houser Millard Funeral Home, 2613 W. Main St. It is the first of what organizers hope will become an annual event.
This event honors Jack Steppelman, who died last year, four days after Christmas. Every year, he decorated his home in the 1100 block of Leslie Boulevard, and lines of cars paraded by to see the display.
Steppelman was known as "Mr. Christmas" and was a prominent downtown retailer for nearly four decades.
The heart of his display was what he dubbed "Winter Wonderland," a miniature snow village with thousands of pieces he displayed in his garage in past years. He hired high school kids to start assembling the annual display as early as July.
Even local retirement homes would bus their residents to the display, and he received "thank you" cards from people he had never met.
Steppelman cofounded "Christmas Card Lane," an ongoing tradition among Dixon Drive residents to create "Christmas cards" on sheets of plywood and display them in their yards around Christmas.
Those wanting to help decorate the tree should bring a durable ornament or a laminated picture of a loved one to put on the tree from 5-6 p.m. Thursday. The lighting service to take place at 6 p.m.