Steven M. Thomas

Steven Melvin Thomas was born in Seattle on 12/9/1946, the son of Don and Clara Thomas. Steven passed away on April 20, 2015, in Ilwaco, WA, surrounded by loved ones. He was raised in Seattle except for a few years he lived in Leavenworth. He graduated from Ballard High in 1965, then joined the Marine Corps. He was honorably discharged from the Marines in 1968 and went to Shoreline Community College until he was hired by the Seattle Police Department on March 29, 1969. Steven had planned on becoming a U.S. history teacher, but Steve always said that joining the police department was the greatest thing that could have happened to him. His time in the SPD allowed him to work in a number of different precincts within the city. For most of his 29-year career, he worked as a patrol officer, and ultimately ended his career one year earlier than he had planned in order to be with his father, Don, during his last days. Steven was married to Phyllis, with whom he had two amazing children - Sherie and Shawn. He later married again and had two more wonderful children - Tara and Beau. Steven's passion was WWII history and all that went with it: reading, modeling, board gaming and restoring military vehicles. That hobby enabled his family to travel all across America and see it, while he attended club conventions in different cities. He also loved playing a variety of card games. In 2002, he found the one true love of his life online. Her name was Sharon Hiam, and the two have been together ever since. They have toured every US state and every province/territory in Canada on their Gold Wing. They also visited more than 70 different countries and took numerous cruises. Steven always mentioned that without her, he would never have seen or done any of those things. Steven and Sharon shared a home in Long Beach, Washington and a home in Honolulu, Hawaii. Steven embraced Sharon's daughters from a previous marriage - Sonja and Tiffany. In 2012, Steven was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. Eventually, he was unable to do anything requiring exertion. But even in his last weeks, Steven said that he lived a good life and really didn't regret any of it. He always spoke fondly of the Seattle Police Department and the men and women who served in it. Steven believed that, "You only get one chance at life so make it count. Be safe. I wish you all the best in life." Steven was preceded in death by his sister Donna and his parents, Don and Clara. Steven is survived by his four children, Sherie, Shawn, Tara and Beau; the love of his life, Sharon; her two daughters, Sonja and Tiffany; and one grandson, Spencer. The family is planning a private memorial service. Steven's online guestbook may be signed at www.penttilaschapel.com.