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Stephen Dwayne Stairs
07/04/1962 — 01/21/2012
From Richland, WA, US | Born in Mayfield, KY
Stephen Dwayne Stairs
STEPHEN DWAYNE STAIRS
Stephen Dwayne Stairs, 49 of Richland, WA passed away on January 21, 2012 at home.
Stephen Stairs was a patriotic American born to a military family on the 4th of July 1962 in Mayfield KY the oldest of 3 brothers. His father, Clarence Stairs, was deployed to Vietnam in 1970. Steve attended elementary schools in Minneapolis, Panama, Mayfield KY and Eaton Town, NJ. As a young boy, he enjoyed scouting and achieved Eagle Scout. Steve excelled in baseball, basketball, bowling.
While Steve's father was based in Germany he attended DoDDS middle school in Vilseck and high school in Nurnberg from 1976-1979. The family returned to Washington State where Steve graduated from Lakes High School in Tacoma, WA in 1979.
After high school, Steve worked at a cheese factory which inspired him to pursue an option to advance his career ambitions. Steve attended community college at Olympia, WA, and then joined the Army in August 1985 as a field artillery surveyor at Ft. Sill, Lawton, OK. During the course of his career, Steve tested UAV drones then became a drill sergeant.
After leaving active duty, he attended Washington State University in Pullman, WA where he graduated with a degree in civil engineering. At the time of his death, Steve was a traffic engineer for the city of Richland.
The friends and family in Steve's life know him as a quiet, gentle, family man whose greatest devotion was to his family. His proudest family moment was the birth of his twins Joshua and Samantha. Steve's greatest enjoyment was spending time with his wife and children. He cherished occasions when he could spend time with his parents and siblings.
Steve was mobilized to Ft. Huachuca from 2004-2006 for Operation Noble Eagle in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was assigned to the 309th MI BN where he served as the NCOIC of the S3 training. Steve organized and supervised training for that battalion for soldiers numbering in excess of over 2000.
During his 26 years of service in the Army, Steve was awarded the following medals:
2 X Meritorious Service medals. 2 X Army commendation medals 9 X Army Achievement medals, The Army good conduct medal 5 X Army reserve components achievement medal 2 X National Defense Service Medals The Global War on Terror Service medal 3X Army Service Ribbons.
The Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device He was twice recognized as Drill Sergeant of the Year for the Battalion.
He is survived by his wife Belinda; children Joshua and Samantha; mother, Charleene Daniels; stepfather, Lowell Daniels; brothers, Doug Stairs of Breingsbille, PA and Jim Stairs of Louisville, KY.
Stephen was preceded in death by his father Clarence C. Stairs and his grandparents Allard and Annamarie Hayden and Edgar and Nanella Stairs.
The recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held on Wednesday, January 25 at 6:00pm at Einan's Funeral Home, with visitation stating at 5:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, January 26 at 10:00 am at Christ the King Church with the graveside service to follow at 12:30pm at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Belinda Stairs for their children Samantha and Joshua Stairs.
Thoughts and prayers go out to Steve’s family. I and others at Battelle/PNNL worked a bunch with Steve regarding our Lab campus. All the interactions were very pleasant, professional, and productive. Steve will be missed by us at the Lab.
Sincerely, Jim Bixler
I am so sorry for your loss. I only knew Steve through working with him on projects with the City of Richland but he was always great to work with and a good man.
Greg Jellison, HDJ Design Group
We are so very sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Our condolences,
Pat, Erin, Sophia, Ryan Lee
With heartfelt sympathy on this unexpected loss. Words cannot express our grief for Belinda and the twins. During this time of sorrow, I pray the memories shared with him will help lift us all up and aid in comfort. And know our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
Belinda,
We are so saddened by your loss. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Stairs family ~ Steve will be missed in so many ways. He was an inspiration to many as an amazing father and husband. We are so very sorry for your loss. The Vincent Family.
Steve was such a wonderful man and a devoted husband and father. He was a quiet man but always quick to smile and say hello. We were proud to have know him and call him our friend.
Our deepest sympathies to your family. Steve will be greatly missed. He always showed such kindness to our family and had a good heart for those around him. He was loved by many and he loved his family dearly.
Steve was one of the finest persons that I have had the opportunity to work with. He was a man of integrity, knowledge, and compassion. I remember fondly the times I got to work with Steve when he was an engineer with Spokane County. I am truly sorry to hear about his passing. My prayers and thoughts are with his wife Belinda and his two daughters.
My deepest sympathy to Belinda and Steves entire family. I met Steve while Seniors at Lakes HS. Steve was a very intelligent and caring man. I will always remember him as being a great team player. I’m sure all his hoop teammates,Army buds and recent co-workers will agree with me. I was very shocked and deeply saddened learning of his passing. I hold many great memories of the times spent with Steve.
Steve will be greatly missed at the City. His professionalism, integrity and kindness were constantly on display and a great example to me. He handled the toughest challenges, whether they be unhappy residents or challenging technical issues with calmness and wisdom. It was a great honor and pleasure to work with Steve and to have his support. I hope his qualities continue to enrich and bless you, Belinda, Joshua, and Samantha.
Pete Rogalsky
Belinda
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Steve was a great man and I have many fond memories of him from hanging out playing hoops to him being in my wedding . He was a quiet leader that I always admired and always put his family first. If you need anything please don’t hesitate to ask.
Tom Pennella and family.
Chris and I offer our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies during this very sad time.We are all grieving together.Someone so special will never be forgotten. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
Belinda,Joshua,Samantha and family-my sincerest condolences to each of you during this time. Praying for peace and comfort. Steve sounded like a kind and gentle spirit who loved his family and friends. He will surely be missed by many. God Bless each of you.
Our prayers from my family to your family. There are no words that express how much Steve meant to me as a boss and a friend, he will truely be missed by everyone he touched. God bless and be with you during these trying times.
Dear Belinda and family,
My prayers are with you and your family, lots of Warrior Love, Joanne
I wish that I could be there in person to support you in this time of need. Believe and remember that you and your children are in our thoughts and prayers.
Terri, Tony, Portia, Rob and Paul Goodin.
Steve was the finest supervisor I ever had. He will be truly missed. My condolences to his family.
Steve was a wonderful person to work with and he will be greatly missed by everyone here.
The things that I will always remember and appreciated the most about Steve above all his impressive awards and credentials is that he was always a fair, honest and genuine nice guy.
Dear Belinda, Joshua and Samantha.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I am so sorry this awful thing has happened. Belinda, I will be in touch as I know many of our Warrior family will. Peace be with you. God Bless you all Michele & Family. Milchak’s
My deepest sympathies to Belinda, Josh and Sami. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers
MSG Stairs was my NCOIC while I was stationed at Ft Huachuca in 2004-2005. He was a very dedicated and professional leader whom I also thought of as a friend . He will be missed by all of us who knew him
I worked with Steve on the Innovation Center Project, and he was a great guy to work with. He was responsive, knowledgable, and helpful. My heart goes out to his family.
Belinda, Josh and Samantha: My heartfelt simpathy, thoughts and praryers to you all. I feel blessed to have known Steve as both a co-worker and a friend. He was a wonderful person with a great sense of humor. He loved to talk about the kids and their latest activities. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Belinda, my heart goes out to you and your family. What an impressive life Steve led. He surely impacted many lives.
In all my years at the City of Richland, no one can touch Steve for his fair and honest approach to his projects, residents and us, his fellow employees. He always had a laugh and a smile. He will be sorely missed. My heart goes out to you, Belinda and the kids.
Belinda, Joshua, and Samantha,
You and your entire family are in my thoughts, prayers, and in my heart as you mourn the loss of such a special person in your lives. May you feel the love and comfort from all your family and friends as we think of you and continue to pray for you.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Sean and Angie Pope Rinehart
My thoughts and prayers are with all of the Stairs family during this difficult time.
One nice thing about having an office next to Steve’s for the past six years is that I could pop in there and get some input and advice whenever I needed it. But what really impacted me was for 40 hours a week, and 52 weeks a year he showed me how to act and react when difficult situations came up. I will do my best to honor his memory by learning from his example and making changes for the better.
My deepest sympathys to the Stair’s family. I knew Steve through my work with the City. Steve always knew how to get the job done with the highest degree of professionalism and integrity. He was a joy to work with and will greatly be missed.
Belinda and girls:
Sorry I missed the celebration of Steve’s life yesterday. He was a fine man, a great employee of the City, and an outstanding professional. I enjoyed working with him at the COR, I was the city manager who granted him the two year leave of absence to serve in the Army in Arizona. I was always impressed with his desire to serve his country, even if, there were some personal sacrifices. Steve was a great engineer, one I could always count on to followup on issues with citizens. He was conscientious, considerate,and in his quiet way could allay the concerns of citizens.
Susan and I pray for your wellbeing in the days and months ahead. May the good Lord bless you and sustain you in your time of need.
Kindest regards,
John
Belinda,
You do not know me, but I work for BergerABAM Engineers in Federal Way, WA. I worked with Steve for four years on the Duportail project in Richland.
I agree whole heartily with what was written about Steve being kind and gentle. I can honestly say he is the best Project Manager I have ever worked for on a project. His strong personal traits were also his strong project strenghts in leading our design team.
I knew him as a strong Christian man who loved his family – same as what was written about him in the memorial. My wife got to meet Steve a couple of times when I brought her along on business trips – and we had lunch together with Steve. She also picked up on those same strong traits.
Again, our condolences to you and your children.
Chuck and Melani Spry
Dear Belinda, Josh & Sami,
Our hearts are heavy today as you feel the loss of such a wonderful husband and daddy. Please know that in the days ahead your White Bluffs family will always be here for you. You are loved beyond measure!
Love,
Mrs. Lipp
Steve was a valuable member of our leadership team; well respected and loved. With Steve’s passing there remains a large hole in our organization. Our thoughts and prayers are with Belinda and the kids. With much love and respect…
May the Lord grant him eternal peace. You have my and my family’s prayers.
In over 31 years of working at the City of Richland Steve was one of the easiest and nicest indivduals I’ve had the opportunity to work with. He will truly be missed.
Steve will be missed deeply in Public Works. He was a great manager and friend. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Steve was a good friend and a great boss. We will be greatly missed. My condolences to his family, and my prayers are with them. We’ll miss you Scuba Steve!!!
Both Maureen and I are deeply saddened to hear of Steve’s passing.
Please accept our sincere and deepest sympathy at this difficult time.
Guestbook for
Stephen Dwayne Stairs