Milton C Stein

Milton C. Stein passed away peacefully on July 15, 2013 at the amazing age of 95. "Milt" as he was known by all, was born in Chicago, IL on May 5, 1918 to Louis and Meta Stein. His younger brother, Robert, died of polio at the age of 13.

Milt joined the Illinois National Guard in 1940. His unit was activated in 1941 and Milt was assigned to Fort Lewis, WA where he fell in love with the mild climate and mountainous landscape. At this time, he also met his future bride and life partner, Kathryn LeRoy, at a Tacoma USO dance. His unit was shipped to Hawaii after the Pearl Harbor attack, and Milt spent the entire campaign with the Signal Corp in New Guinea and the Philippines. He sailed to Japan and returned to Fort Lewis at the end of 1945. Milt was Active Reserve with the rank of Warrant Officer.

On February 17, 1946, Milt married Kathryn LeRoy in Olympia. They moved to Chicago after the wedding. In 1948, Milt and Katie made the decision to return to Olympia to raise their family and join his Father-in-Law's business, LeRoy Jewelers.

Milt was called to service again in 1951 for the Korean Conflict and was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. After the Korean Solution, Milt stayed Active Reserve at the Olympia Armory as the acting Commanding Officer and received his promotion to Captain. He finished his 31 year career as a Major in Intelligence with the Tacoma Unit.

An avid sports enthusiast, Milt enjoyed watching all TV sports and was an animated and articulate armchair coach. His own passions were for bowling and golfing. He is a member of the Washington State Bowler's Hall of Fame. When their children were grown and independent, Milt and Katie sold their family home near the capitol and moved near Capital City Golf Course. Many years of near daily calendar notations "18 holes with cart" were documented by our father.

Milt and Katie joined the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepard in 1957 as charter members and continued to be actively involved up until his death.

Milt is survived by his wife of 67 years, Katie, his son Bob and daughter-in-law Judy; daughter Sheri and youngest daughter Patty and son-in-law Leonard; three granddaughters: Angie, Amy and Jennifer and five great grandchildren: Logan, Devin, Riley, Reanna and Madilyn...All whom he loved very much!

Milt was a genuinely kind and outgoing fellow. His twinkling blue eyes and quick wit loved a good joke. He never met a person (or dog) he didn't like!

Our father was a loving, supportive and involved parent. He instilled in each of us a strong moral compass- we are so grateful for the many years we had with him.

A memorial service will be held at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd on Friday, August 16, 2013 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be directed to "Faith Formation" at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.