In Memory

Steven D. Sturgeon

Steve died suddenly from a heart attack on 11 December 2012.  From 1965-1975 he was married to our classmate, Carolyn Broyles. 

Steve was described as a "good provider" with a strong work ethic, perhaps an attribute gained from growing up on the farm.  Shortly before his death, Steve said that he had rebuilt 105 tractors, enought to fill a museum.  He elaborated that he had no intention of retiring--"too boring," he said.  Steve was the owner of Tires for Less in Yakima.

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The following obituary was published in the Yakima Herald Republic on December 18, 2012:

YAKIMA - Steve entered into peace on December 11, 2012 after he suffered a heart attack at his home.

His birth started in Dodge City, Kansas on August 15, 1946. There he lived with his parents and sisters until at age 11, the family moved to the farm in Columbia Basin in 1957, just 7 miles north of Pasco. He loved working on the farm. He then graduated from Pasco High School in 1964. He attended Columbia Basin College and graduated in 1966. Moving to Spokane he went back to school at Eastern Washington State College, married, became a tire store manager. He graduated in 1971 from Eastern.

His first job was without knowing it was Webb Tractor in 1965 - 1966. Tractors later in his life would be the tractor fever factor. His next job was Uniroyal Tire Co. manager in Spokane. In 1971 he then became named top ten manager, for which he won a trip to Rome, Italy. In 1973 he moved to Dallas, Texas as a manager, then to Seattle in 1974. By spring in 1975 he became a manager for Firestone stores.

He now had two boys to raise and a manager job opening was available in Yakima, WA. Single in late summer he met Jamie on a blind date, and they were married on October 23, 1976. Steve then in 1978-1983 started working for a Kelly Oil Co. manager, on Terrace Heights Drive. The two bought the property in 1985. Tires for Less became the second store later.

Steve then began his love for tractors without even knowing it. The hobby has grown quite large and he learned everything he could, tractor pulling, parades, tractor runs to Zillah, Ellensburg, Legends Casino, anything fun to do. He loved to talk tractors, or better yet on the phone. He was fun, smart and a great friend.

His family will surely miss him always and so will his friends he had through all the years.

Steve is survived by wife, Jamie, daughter, Melanie Burns (Mike), grandson Mason and granddaughter, Miranda of Yakima, daughter, Lindsay Sturgeon of Yakima; son, Matthew Sturgeon (Melissa), grandsons, Andrew and Kevin of Arizona, son, Nathan Sturgeon (Marcy), grandsons, Kyle and Garret of Yakima; sister, Jan Sturgeon of Pasco, WA and Joyce Sturgeon of Arizona.

Visitation will be from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at Keith & Keith Ninth Avenue. A Memorial Service will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 20th at Keith & Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel. To share a memory of Steve, visit www.keithandkeith.com.



 
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12/13/12 07:57 PM #1    

Lynda Mangum (Willis)

To the Sturgeon Family:

I'm sorry to hear that Steve is gone, and you are suffering his loss.  However, the Bible says in I Thes 5 that Steve is merely sleeping and awaiting Jesus' return.  His tears have been wiped away and he is now free from all sorrow, hurt, harm and danger.  God bless you all.   Lynda Mangum Willis


12/14/12 10:26 PM #2    

Dennis Sierts

Steve will be missed by many.  I pray for his family.  He was such a great guy, fun to be around, always with a smile and the saying "I've got a deal for you".  Thanks for the memories.

Dennis Sierts


12/15/12 05:58 PM #3    

Joe Boyd

Steve's family had an alfalfa farm in Block 16.  I think we met in 4-H when we were thirteen and were friends through high school.  He loved anything with an engine in it.  I remember him calling me to come to Edwin Markham School where his Dad worked as a groundskeeper to keep him company while he changed sprinklers.  We would then wash the Sturgeon family's 1963 Mercury.  He made that car shine like a jewel.   Steve was responsible for me getting my first boat.  Shortly after high school I won a motorbike in a contest put on by KORD radio.  When Steve saw the bike, (his place was the first place I visited when I got the bike), he had to have it.  He suddenly offered me his boat, and started piling water skis, life jackets, a motor mount, and other things into the boat.  He kept saying, "remember how you always wanted a boat, how you always talked about taking a boat out on the river, out on the lakes, spending the day fishing?"  I told him, yes, but my mom (who hated the water), wouldn't stand for it.  Steve then got on the phone (we were at his house) with my mother, and talked with her a few minutes.  Then Steve's mom, who just came in the door, talked with my mom.  When I got on the phone, Mom said, "it's your bike, if you want to trade, it's up to you."  I couldn't believe it.  Of course, it didn't hurt that my Mom loved Steve, and had huge respect for Mrs. Sturgeon, who taught school in town.  I remember her saying to my mom: "Joe's a good swimmer, he loves the water, and I know he'll be careful."  Steve's dad said I should trade the bike plus $50 for the boat, trailer, motor, water skis, and motor mount.  It was a fourteen-ft Norseman runabout, wood with a gelcoat hull, and had a 25hp Johnson outboard.  I fished, water skied, and goofed around on that boat for years.  Out of respect for my mother's emotions, I kept the boat at a friend's place, so Mom wouldn't have to see me driving out with the boat in tow.  Later, he and Carolyn got married, we moved on, and lost touch.  The last time I talked with Steve (about six years ago), he was restoring a 1969 (I think) Chevy Malibu. When we were kids we washed cars together, listened to records, went hunting together,  went to 4-H camp, played in Junior High band, even had a couple of classes together in high school.  He could always talk my mom into letting me go just about anywhere with him.  I always thought I'd have plenty of time to stop by and visit him.  Now that he's gone,  I realize that time is a commodity that should never be wasted.

I especially want to send my condolences to Steve's family, including his sisters and Carolyn.  Sixty-six seems like a very young age right now; I look at my life and my family and in many ways realize we're just starting on some memorable experiences.  I hope you'll remember and cherish the good times you had with Steve.  I know I will.        


12/16/12 04:06 PM #4    

Rod Agassiz

I'm so sorry to hear about Steve's passing, and offer my support to his family. Steve was one of those who you liked immediately. It was probably his great smile! I believe I met Steve in Mr. Grisham's Industrial Arts class where many of us non-academics felt right at home. He was definitely a car guy, and knew his stuff. He'll be missed!

Rod Agassiz

 

 


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