Debi and family - please know I was out of state until mid-May and did not know. 
Stan Kent told me yesterday of Steve's passing.  I've watched the heart wrenching and beautiful video of his memorial service.  How often to you see lawyers and judges in tears?  What you and "The Bird "meant to Tom (and to me), particularly as Tom was failing, is impossible to put into words.   You and Steve were a gift in Tom's life for decades.  

I know they will be fishing together on the other side. and swapping stories of days gone by.  

With much love and hope that your overwhelming grief will lessen. 
Flori

Deb Pelican I’m late in getting to you but I just wanted to say I’m sad to hear of Steve passing. Tom always thought highly of Steve. It’s a new world out there when the love of our lives passed on without us Tom has been gone now almost 3 years it’s tough. Take care and be kind to yourself

We are holding all of you in our hearts! There are not words for the feelings of Steve’s unexpected passing.  His kind, warm, classy presence will be greatly missed!

Sending our Love and Sympathy, 
Mona, Karl, Owen & Jeremiah Maser.

It was always a pleasure to appear in Division  6  .  Great judge and even a better person .  His example will be missed but not forgotten .  Thanks Steve .

Steve was and outstanding lawyer and judge.  I saw him handle many stressful cases, and the thing that stood out the most was that he was always honest and calm ... and he always kept his sense of humor.

I am sad to see him go,  

Greg Walta

My condolences to you, Debi, and your beautiful family.,    Steve was such a wonderful man, and my heart is broken.

One of the most decent and intelligent persons to serve in our judicial system over the years.  Steve had many admirers and friends.  He will be missed.

Steve Pelican was a great judge and even better person. He will be greatly missed.

Cindy & Kelly Dude

Debbie, Sam and Libby - thinking of you during this time.  So appreciative of your husbands/father's legacy and impact on thousands upon thousands of people with cystic fibrosis.

Steve and Debbie were part of the JAG family for almost 15 years.  We felt we knew the extended family, as Steve and Debbie would bring the grand kids and parents to the JAG holiday, where they would be welcomed by Santa with open arms, and presents, of course.  On the work front, Steve was known as a gentleman's gentleman, always calm in a storm, with an incisive legal mind that found common sense solutions to complex legal problems.  He will be missed.

You will never be gone. Poncho Via lives on.

I was fortunate to share time and space with Steve. He amazed me often -- with his tender heart, his quiet strength, and the way he loved without needing to say much. 
Steve lived by values that don't shout, but endure -- dignity, kindness, honesty, and an unwavering presence. 
This is only a brief note, a small offering for a special friend, who touched my life. But as Hemingway wrote, "The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places." 
Steve was that kind of strong. And his light remains with us. 
Good bye, my friend.

Forever thankful for Steve’s legacy. He was an incredible man. I feel like I have learned so much of his wisdom through Libby over the years. His gentle, loving spirit will always be remembered. Sending so much love to the Pelican family.

I will always remember Judge Pelican for his unwavering devotion to the legal system and to his beautiful family. Through him I learned about the challenges and fears related to Cystic Fibrosis and have been a supporter of the research process ever since.
My deepest condolences to the family.  He will be remembered and missed. 
 Vicki Villalobos

OBITUARY

Steve "Pel" Pelican

November 20, 1945 – April 4, 2025

Swan-Law Funeral Directors

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