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Steven Lee Tomlinson
11/12/1954 — 02/27/2011
From Pasco, WA, US | Born in Walla Walla, WA
Steven Lee Tomlinson
Steven Lee Tomlinson
Steven Lee Tomlinson, 56, passed away after a day of snowmobiling in the Cascade Mtns. near Yakima, WA on February 27, 2011.
On November 12, 1954, Steve was born to Gilbert and Jean Tomlinson in Walla Walla, WA. He was saved and dedicated to our Lord and Savior at a very early age at Ingle Chapel Church in Milton-Freewater, Oregon where he attended while living on Stateline Road near Walla Walla. He graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1972. He was married to Sarita Mulhair on May 5, 1973. They had 4 children: Justin Todd, Alexis Rene, Ashley Nicole and Barret Reed.
He started working at age 12 for the family business, Tomlinson Dairy Farms, in Walla Walla. The dairy facility was moved to Pasco where they also started growing alfalfa and Steve implemented the use of the dairy waste water to irrigate the farm. In 1983, after the dairy was sold, he bought his own farm north of Pasco and continued farming there and with his parents on their land, and on leased land north of the Pasco airport. He continued to use his innovative techniques of waste water dispersal with the potato processing water from the Lamb-Weston plant. All of his children helped with the farming, especially at harvest time.
Steve married his childhood friend, Jan Marie Waddoups Prior on August 26, 2000. Their families lived near each other and have been friends since Steve was four and Jan was two. The two families spent a great deal of time together going to parades, cutting Christmas trees up in the mountains at Tollgate, and vacationing at Wallowa Lake. Sadly, Jans family moved away when she was eight. The last time Steve and Jan spent together as children was when their families spent a weekend at the Tomlinson cabin at Tollgate. Thirty years passed before Steve and Jan met again and fell in love. In 2004, Steve and Jan established Steve Tomlinson Farms, LLC, and last year began, with his son, Barret, farming the entire operation.
In addition to his love of farming, Steve had many passions, especially snowmobiling. This humble, hard-working man of the highest integrity always put his family and friends first. He was a master mechanic, welder, electrician, plumber, and adept at fixing anything. Incredibly kind and generous, he was always willing to offer his help to others.
Steve is survived by his beloved wife, Jan at home; his four children and their spouses, Justin Amie Tomlinson of Puyallup, WA, Alexis Brad Davis of Pasco, WA, Ashley Brian Edwards of Albion, WA and Barret Tomlinson, Pasco, WA; 6 grandchildren, Lindsey, Maximus, and Peyton Tomlinson, Ashlyn and Ava Davis, and Riley Edwards; his parents, Gilbert and Jean Tomlinson, Pasco, WA; his sisters Cynthia Allen Longest, Pasco, WA and Kim Richard Ingersoll, Pasco, WA; nephews, Nathan Arland and Tyler AmberLyford; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and in-laws; his former wife, Sarita Tomlinson, and a multitude of friends.
A viewing will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2011 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Einans Funeral Home, 915 Bypass Highway, Richland, WA. The funeral will be held on Sunday, March 6, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at Memories at Sunset Event Center with a reception to follow.
We are blessed to have known the most thoughtful man that walked the earth.
I always enjoyed the trips Doug and I took to Tri-Cities and part of that was the chance to visit with Jan and Steve. Know that you’re in my prayers during this time.
STEVE’S MEASURE AS A PERSON AND MAN CAN BE SEEN IN HIS CHILDREN. HE WAS A TRUELY GENTLE SOUL.
GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU
Alexis and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I pray that you are able to find comfort in your memories and with each other. I have seen what a great family bond your father has left in his children. What a wonderful legacy. You are all in my prayers.
Maria Davis Goff and family.
My prayers go out to the all the families of Steve, he was a good and honest person and will be missed, but not forgotten.
Gib & Jean We are so sorry for your loss. One of my memories of Steve was on a motorcycle ride as a little guy he was riding behind me and kept falling asleep. We tied a belt around him and me to keep him from falling off. We have a lot of fond memories of Steve he will be missed. God be with You. Myron & Wanda
Gib & Jean we are so terribly sorry for your loss. We just can’t imagine the heartbreak that you are going thru. Please know that you are in our prayers.
Our favorite memory of steve is when he use to sneak away from you and come over to our house and ask if we had any cookies. He was such a cute little boy and it sounds like he grew up to be a very gentle and loving guy.
Once again know that you are being prayed for. May God walk with you thru this difficult time. Paul & Jan Gilliland
To the Tomlinson Family, Our deepest sympathy and condolences to all. Steve was a great man and we are proud to have him as a part of our life. Gwen & Kurt
Words do little to express my sadness & our condolences to the family & many, many friends.
The Ossman’s pray for and wish you all Comfort & eventual Peace during this difficult time.
Jan,I am sooo sorry for your loss, may God hold u close, comfort you and give you strength.
Gib and Jean,as a parent I can only imagine your grief & sadness. It is not right,I wish there were words or something I could do for you.
Justin,Alexis,Ashley,Barrett your dad was a Very fine man and you know that you kids meant the world to him. Remember the good times and carry his legacy proudly. God bless you all.
If theres Anything I can do, do not hesitate to ask,it would be my honor.
Our condolences & my Respect
Jeff
Our world has lost, But heaven has gained
A very Fine man!
Hardworking,straight forward,dedicated,honest & trustworthy,caring,and solid as a rock. A maticulous craftsman,a truely gifted mechanic.
His patience,consistency and quiet confidence was almost always accompanied by a sly smile. A man I learned much from;as much thru his actions as words. Steve’s use of ‘Common Sense’an increasingly rare commodity these days is one of the things I’ll truely miss most & always remember him by.
His attention to detail was incredible;looking back,Ive never known him to ‘leave anything 1/2 done’ or ‘less than completed’
His ability to engineer,fabricate or even redesign already usefull machinery into something better, was always impressive to me & many in the Ag community. Each time he would ‘redesign the wheel’ so to speakit “Would” roll smoother, straighter,faster !
God speed Steve; You will;so very much,be missed.
Steve and I went to High School together and I worked at the dairy in Walla Walla early in life. Steve was my best man when I got married in 1973 and we were friends for many years. Good man gone way too early. Mo
To the Tomlinson family:My deepest and sincere condolences for your loss.I only knew Steve from the Ranch House but admired him for always having a smile on his face and greeting you with a hi or hello.May Gods love and peace comfort your hearts and that He will keep you in the hollow of His hands.Our hearts and prayers go out to all of the family.
Dear Jan and Family
We are very saddened by your loss. We didn’t get to see you and Steve a lot but when we did, Steve always left us with a smile. He was such a gentleman and fun to be around. His grin seemed to light up a whole room. Please accept our most sincere condolences. We will miss him.
God bless you Steve and God bless Jan too,My condolences to your family
Dear Jan,
I was so very sorry to hear of your loss. I did not know Steve very well but I know you and he had to be a great man. I know that this is a very difficult time but God is with you and your family is with you and you will get through this even as hard as it is. My prayers and my Mom’s prayers are with you during this time. I love you Jan. My thoughts are with you.
Love, Linda, Mom and Annie
To the Tomlinson family:Sorry to hear of your loss of Steve,who always seemed to have smile on his face.We will miss passing him on Glade going or coming from having coffee with his dad.
Dear Jan
We want you to know that we are thinking of you during this dificult time and we will be upholding you in our prayers.
Sounds to us that Steve was a special man and will be greatly missed.
Keep your chin up Jan and trust in Jesus for everything.
We love you
Ed, Clarissa and Uncle Dwight
Sarita,
So sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. We too remember how Steve and you took us snowmobiling and what a great time we had! Steve’s a kind man and will be missed by all who new him.
Sincerely,
Arvid and Debbie Larson
To the Tomlinson Family,Sorry for your loss Steve was a great friend. going snowmobiling with him and Barrett are things our family will treasure for ever he always had a smile on his face and was always willing to help people out. We will miss him
Hi Jan
I am so sorry ro hear about your loveone passing. I wish I could have known about this earlier so I could have made plans to come for his funeral service today. I work every Saturday. We have moved back up here in Kent. But I am glad that your mother got a hold of me yesterday, so that is how I found out about Steven passing. He sounded like the nices man. May he rest in peace and our condolence. I know it will be hard to not have him around anymore. But time will heal and I will call you Monday I am off that day. I know you will be busy with Steven’s funeral today so I will wait to talk to you on the phone tomorrow.
Thinking of you always, Rosario
Hello, Jan ~
I was so sorry to read of your loss. Reconnecting with a childhood family friend is such a sweet story. I trust the last decade is overflowing with wonderful memories.
Take care.
Linda
Tomlinson Family!
I have so enjoyed my long business and personal association with your family as I worked with you on your books and am so saddened by the loss of Steve. Whenever Steve came to my office he always had a smile on his face and usually had one of the children with him. They always left my office making me feel good because of the love they showed each other. I know you all have much heartache right now but oh such wonderful memories! He will always live on thru those! You are such a special family and very dear to me – one may only have the chance to have one such relationship in one’s life and you have been mine! Thanks so much for sharing with me and you are all in my prayers! Pat Case Cobb!
Dear Tomlinson Family,
I just learned of Steve’s passing. I am so sorry for your loss. I have such fun memories of Steve when we were growing up on Stateline Road. I can still see him pushing me on a tire swing. His picture shows the same sweet smile.
My family’s thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love, Stini
Dear Jan,
I am deeply saddened by the passing of Steve. I know the bond that you two shared was incredible and loving. My memories of Steve are of his generosity in making me feel completely welcome in his presence and being a genuinely kind man. You are in my thoughts and prayers and have been ever since I’ve known you and especially during these times.
I love you Jan!
Uncle Gib Aunt Jean & family. Jim and I are deeply sadden to hear the passing of Steve. I have great memories at family holiday dinners growing up and lot of other family events. One memory I have is he gave me my first motercyle ride !! Now that was pretty COOL !! I must of been 8 or 9. There other memories as well of being kind funny & his GRIN !!!!!! We contiknow he will aways be trurely missed but always in our hearts. We continue to pray and think of all family members. We love you and give everyrone our support ! All our love,Your cousin, Glenna Prock & Jim Upchurch.
When we first met Steve at Brian and Ashley’s wedding, it was easy to see what a wonderful, caring, loving man he was and how much he meant to his family and friends. He will be missed greatly, but leaves a wonderful legacy behind in his equally wonderful family.
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Steven Lee Tomlinson