About 200 people joined Jack Steppleman's family Sunday evening to remember their loved ones by hanging ornaments on a 30-foot Christmas tree outside Houser-Millard Family Chapels.
The fourth annual Jack's Christmas Tree ceremony featured speakers, music, singing, refreshments and an appearance by Santa Claus.
"In the hustle and bustle of this busy season, I think it's important to pause and reflect on our loved ones whom we miss," said Stephanie Biggs, one of Jack Steppleman's two daughters.
Biggs said her wish was for her family's tradition of remembering her father to grow into a way for people throughout the community to remember their loved ones.
Her wish is coming true. The Jack's Memory Tree celebration has grown each year, she said.
The event started as a way to remember Steppleman, known throughout Jefferson City as "Mr. Christmas." Steppleman was a longtime downtown business owner who decorated his store-front windows during the Christmas season. He retired in the early '90s, but then became known for his extravagant Christmas decorations outside his house.
For many families, it was a tradition to drive their cars by his house, sometimes waiting in long lines, to see his lights and decorations, which included a miniature snow village that filled his garage. Steppleman often would warmly greet passers-by.
He hired people to help him with the decorations, and the process often started shortly after the Fourth of July.
Biggs spoke to the audience inside, before they went outside to put their ornaments on Jack's Memory Tree, telling them: "We miss our loved ones, but we have wonderful memories. And truly, they are with us tonight in their hearts."
Reid Millard, owner of Millard Family Chapels, said his family lost his sister, Mary Jane Wehr, this past year. She loved the Christmas season and especially loved giving everyone gifts. In her honor, the funeral home introduced a Toys for Tots gift drive during this year's event in which people were invited to bring toys to donate to underprivileged children.
One of the people placing ornaments on the tree was Braden Biggs, a grandson of Jack Steppleman, who made a hand-blown glass ornament to honor his grandfather.