Steven “Steve” Richard Garity was born on June 15, 1954, in Aberdeen, Washington and died June 16, 2023, in Westport Washington at the age of 69.
From an early age Steve had some sort of project or hobby. He had stamp and coin collections. He loved animals. One of his fascinating hobbies was to raise homing pigeons. He would have a friend travel to a distant place and then release the pigeon and it would fly back to his house. One pigeon had logged more than 10,000 miles. He and his family also raised rabbits and ducks. He spent many hours fishing with his brother Doug and father Dick. He respected his dad and often told stories about how hard his life was, especially the time he spent in the Navy during World War 2. He also cared for his mom helping her with medical challenges in her later years. He was good with his hands. He built and raced 1960’s vintage hot rod cars. He would build cars with engines with pipes coming out of the hood. The louder the engine the better. After graduating from Aberdeen High School, he worked as a longshoreman with the hazardous job of loading and unloading ships in the Puget Sound ports. He became involved in politics and veteran’s issues for many years. He even met Governor Dan Evans, a former Washington State governor. When he moved from Olympia, Washington to Westport, Washington, he managed and maintained apartments. He did everything from plumbing to painting, constantly having to remodel after tenants that would abuse the apartments. Even in the last few years he maintained his vintage RV doing fiberglass work, installing roof air conditioners, and maintaining the motor and generator. He changed his current car ignition to an old school points and rotor ignition from an electronic system. He never shied away from a challenge or an interesting project.
He is survived by his older sister Janice (Wightman) Sterneckert and his younger brother, Doug Garity, his nephews Brian Jex (Kathleen), Brad Jex (Priscilla) and Mike Jex (Kim) and niece Diane Jex Robie (Dave). He was predeceased by his mother Katherine (Bigelow) Garity, father Richard Garity and sister Darhyl Ann (Wightman) LeCount. Steve will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace. Family services are being planned. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Washington.
