Steve Garity

Obituary of Steven Richard Garity

Steven Richard Garity (Steve) was born on June 15th, 1954, in Aberdeen, Washington and died June 16th, 2023, in Westport, Washington at the age of 69.

From an early age Steve had some sort of project or hobby. He collected stamps and coins. He loved animals. He raised homing pigeons which friends would release from miles away and they 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 attended and graduated from Aberdeen High School where he excelled at many activities. He was in 7 theater productions and sang bass. He won many awards on the rifle team. He studied auto mechanics and built and raced hot rod cars. He loved to fly and obtained his private pilot’s license. After graduating from Aberdeen High School, he worked as an auto mechanic and later as a longshoreman with the hazardous job of loading and unloading ships in Puget Sound ports. He was involved in politics and veteran’s issues for many years. When he moved from Olympia, Washington to Westport, Washington, he managed and maintained apartments. He did everything from plumbing to painting, remodeling apartments between tenants. Even in his last few years he maintained his vintage RV doing fiberglass work, installing roof air conditioners, and maintaining the motor and generator. He changed his last car’s ignition to an old time 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), Mike Jex (Kim) and nieces Diane Jex Robie (Dave) and Kimberley Garity Mueller. 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 love and peace until we see him again. Family services are being planned. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Washington.

"Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep" by Mary Elizabeth Frye

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there. I did not die. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Steve Garity, please visit our flower store.