Steven Steve Sturdevant

Steven Walter Sturdevant

December 23, 1946 – July 15, 2016

On July 15, 2016 Steven (Steve) Sturdevant, of Olympia WA was surrounded by his loving family as he peacefully passed away from complications from stage 4 lymphoma. Steve was 69 years old, and in those years he grew into an incredible man who loved his family more than anything in the world. Describing Steve, some of the words that come to mind are; hardworking, dependable, strong-willed, feisty, liberal, stubborn, funny, supportive and loving. Steve was a hard-core, rain or shine, dedicated, and very talented golfer.

Steve was born in the small town of Centralia, Washington on December 23, 1946 to James (Jim) and Patricia Sturdevant. A bouncing baby boy was an early Christmas present that year, although his older brother Ken may have thought otherwise! They called Steve a “toe-head” because of his striking blond/white hair. The Sturdevant clan became complete after Dale and Lori were born a number of years later.

Jim worked for Pacific Northwest Bell phone company and Patricia was an incredible homemaker. They had their hands full with four children who’s ages were separated by over 19 years between Ken and Lori. Steve was the athlete in the family, excelling at most sports at an early age, especially baseball. He played his whole childhood and teenage years. He was a pitcher on his state championship little league team when they traveled to Nationals in Casper Wyoming. During his teenage years he also learned to golf, and immediately fell in love with the sport and was hooked for his entire life.

After high school, Steve worked at a local grocery store as a journeyman clerk. After saving his paychecks, he made his first big purchase – a 1962 little red corvette convertible. It was in that car that he caught the eye of a local girl, Catherine Frye. Their fathers had been on a bowling league together. Again, Centralia was a very small town back then. Steve and Cathy dated while she went to college, and graduated from Pacific Lutheran University after only 3 years. Within two weeks of Cathy’s graduation and 21st birthday the two were married on August 21, 1971 in a small ceremony, surrounded by their closest friends and family.

They then moved to the big city, Olympia where Steve worked at Pacific Northwest Bell and Cathy began teaching art at a local elementary school. In 1973 they had saved enough money to purchase land and build their own home. Steve continued golfing on the weekends with his group of friends from the phone company. The only thing missing? A family.

Their daughter Sara Lyn was born on March 6, 1977. Then along came James Lee on August 2, 1980. Those years with two young kids were filled with weekends at grandma’s and grandpa’s, going out to the cabin on the bay to visit aunt Mary and onto grandpa Frye’s big boat to tour Puget Sound. They spent weekends with grandma and grandpa Sturdevant in Centralia, which included huge family meals, crafting with grandma and helping grandpa in his greenhouse. All holidays would be spent at Steve and Cathy’s house, full of the entire family, feasts, singing, playing the piano, dancing and of course, presents for the kids. They also took trips to Reno to visit Cathy’s sister Sharon and her family. It was an extraordinary childhood for Sara and James.

As the teenage years hit, Steve decided to build a tennis court next to the house. He taught the kids how to play and ended up spending more than ten years watching them grow as tennis players and immerse themselves into the sport. The kids lived on the tennis court, going to tournaments, lessons, and weekend trips to compete. At every event, Steve and Cathy were there, rain or shine, cheering them on. The best times were when the family of four would turn on the tennis court lights at night and play doubles for hours on end.

As the years went by, the kids grew up, went to college, started working and were around less and less. In 1999 Steve retired after having worked for the phone company for 30 years. Cathy followed a few years later in 2003. In 2002 came the birth of their first grandchild Victoria (Tori). Steve was forever changed the day he became “papa.” The other love of his life was his retirement present to himself, his 1955 Chevy. He worked on that car for years. He even put in a new transmission with nephew Kyle. He had his hands full and he loved every minute of it…along with a lot more time to golf, including his job at the golf course as a marshall. In between golf and working on the car, Steve enjoyed playing with his granddaughter Victoria and grandson Caden.

The Washington weather was starting to get old, so Steve sold the ’55 and they bought a new RV. Some favorite traveling spots were; Carson City, Laughlin, Bakersfield, Death Valley, and Brookings. The kids were always thrilled when they came home to visit, not only did they bring presents, but they were happier than ever, it was almost like they were in their 30’s and on their honeymoon!

In 2011, their final grandchild Wyatt was born. Traveling was a little more work, but they kept going until this last spring when they both started struggling with health issues. They were always taking care of each other and loved living in that RV, whether they were on a trip or in the driveway of the house. James and his fiancé Becca had bought the house and helped them with appointments and daily routines.

Steve was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoma, after a three week battle he passed away surrounded by his loved ones who will forever miss this incredible, extraordinary man.

Steve Sturdevant is survived by his wife Catherine, daughter Sara (Alan) Bahler, son James (Becca) Sturdevant, grandchildren Victoria Hope and Wyatt Johnston Bahler, and Caden Murray Sturdevant. Brothers Ken and Dale (Annette) Sturdevant. Sister Lori (Bill) McAllister. Many beloved nieces and nephews.