Thomas Stewart Stevens

Thomas “Tom” Stevens of Olympia, WA, passed away on October 30, 2025, at the age of 70. He was born on March 15, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, to Raymond and June Stevens. Tom was the second of four children in the family.

Tom’s educational journey began at Maine West High School in Des Plaines, Illinois, where he graduated in 1973. He went on to pursue higher education at the University of Illinois, earning his bachelor’s degree in forestry in 1977, followed by a master’s degree specializing in plant pathology graduating in 1979.

In his professional life, Tom enjoyed a fulfilling 42-year career as a nursery technologist and tree grower with Weyerhaeuser, from which he retired. His deep knowledge of forestry and passion for plants defined much of his career, but it was his love for nature that also extended into his personal life.

Outside of work, Tom had a variety of interests. He was a skilled woodworker, crafting thoughtful gifts for family members, and he had a green thumb, especially when it came to growing dahlias. Tom also had a passion for traveling and exploring the world. He dedicated extensive time to researching and preserving his family’s ancestry. Within the last few years, he has enjoyed paleontology. He became a volunteer at the University of Washington’s Burke Museum where he enjoyed preparing fossil wood thin sections to aid in tree identification.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and June Stevens; his sister, Patricia Stevens; sister-in-law, Judi Stevens; and nephew, Brian Wachholz.

He is survived by his daughter, Taylor (Colton) Runyon; granddaughter, Rylee Runyon; sisters Karen Phillips and Christine (John) Sova; brother, Robert Stevens; and many nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, December 12th, 2025, at 2:00 PM, with a service to follow at 3:30 PM, at Mills and Mills Funeral Home in Tumwater, Washington. All are welcome to attend and share in remembering Tom’s life.