Stephen William Ringer was born in Savannah Georgia. He is the youngest of three children born to his mother Marguerite Burke Ringer and Lieutenant Colonel Cedric Edward Ringer, Sr. The family moved to Tampa Florida when Stephen was only two years old. His father left his family for another woman only two years later. Stephen enjoyed his childhood in Tampa with mild seasonal temperatures that allowed him to flourish in swimming, baseball, football and tennis. He attended St. John's Episcopal Day School with his siblings because his mother was employed there as a Kindergarten Teacher.

Charlie Mols, his stepfather, came into his life at age eight. He was an alcoholic and a child abuser. Stephen escaped to college at the University of Florida at age seventeen. He was introduced to marijuana by age eighteen and what may have appeared to be a pretty normal life was rife with death and destruction. Sixteen years later he would make the decision that would revolutionize his life- He stopped drinking and using drugs and joined the fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous. He eventually met Robin Leeds with whom he is still married today. They have four daughters, Aldyn, Cassidy, Cameron and Madeline. None of his children have ever had a problem with alcohol or drugs. The family disease seems to have stopped with him. For this he is eternally grateful to the God of his understanding.