Steven Michael Charest

April 9, 1961 ~ March 18, 2017

Our world was saddened on March 18th by the death of our hero, Steven Michael Charest. A Tacoma native, Steve was the son of Dave and Carol (who preceded him in death) Charest; husband of Kathy Fulton Charest; adored father of Jamie Charest Frans (Jon) and love struck grandpa of Jaxson Steven Frans.

Steve was raised on the eastside of Tacoma and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1979. He was an avid rider of the Oregon and Idaho sand dunes, loved his Harley, spent many years boating on the Columbia River and built some amazing custom cars, one that won him a lifelong dream of best custom at the 2015 Good Guys Rally.

Steve worked at Graymont Industries for 18 years. In 2003 he became critically ill and with only one option, received a lifesaving heart transplant in 2004. After 3 years on dialysis Steve got that life changing phone call. On 9/11/07 he received a kidney transplant. These two precious gifts of life gave Steve 12 more years in which time he proudly watched his daughter graduate from college, walked her down the aisle, built 3 custom hot rods, met the kidney donor's family, took several wonderful vacations and got to know and love his son-in-law Jon and grandson, Jax.

A very special thank you too all of the doctors, nurses and staff at the UW Medical Center for your unsurpassed care, compassion and love that this journey required. Dr. Elina Minami, you are an angel in disguise, Steve survived as long as he did because of your diligent care, love and never ending support. Sue Moore, you were Steve's nurse for the 12 years he was transplanted, he loved and trusted you and never was he hospitalized that you didn't come and see him. Thanks to all of you at the Regional Heart Center, Steve's family and friends will be forever grateful.

To Steve's organ donors, you lost your life and saved his....Steve, his family and friends are humbled and grateful for giving him the gift of life, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

With heavy hearts we say goodbye we weren't ready to let you go yet. Please watch over us, send us a sign and help us find our way without you.

The family requests donations be made to the, UW Medicine Regional Heart Center Research Fund at www.acceleratemed.org/give

Join us for a hosted celebration of Steve's life beginning at 4pm on Friday, April 7, 2017 at the LeMay Car Museum,

2702 E D St, Tacoma, WA 98421.

In honor of Steve, those driving a hotrod or riding have reserved parking on the mezzanine.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times on Apr. 2, 2017.

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Dick Frans

April 3, 2017

Steve..
Gone too soon. I just wish we would have had time to get to know you better. Thank you and Kathy for raising such a great daughter, we love her as our own. And we promise you that our shared grandson will always know what a great man his "grandpa Steve" was and we know he loved you as much you loved him.
Dick and Karin

Patty McGallian

April 3, 2017

My thoughts and prayers to all...So hard to lose someone so special. He always, always had a kind word and a smile. It was great to get to see him out at the cabin and property these past few years.

April 2, 2017

Beautiful Story. Nothing else to say. Hurts too much.

Scott Callinsky

April 2, 2017

I worked with Steve At Puyallup Marine in the late 70s. He was a great guy and we had some great times. I'm really sorry to hear about his passing. RIP

Gwen Fiala

April 2, 2017

I will forever remember Steve's laugh! Even though I didn't get to see him often when I did I just remember the sound of his chuckle. I know there is a muscle car in heaven just waiting to have his skilled hands rebuild it to its original luster. RIP friend, we will all meet again someday.
Gwen (Havard) Fiala

April 2, 2017

RIP Steve. We had some fun times back in the day in the old neighborhood. I'll remember you as one of the sweetest guys.
Condolences to Jim and all your loved ones.
Julie (Pitsch) Christianson

Ada Figuracion Elliott

April 2, 2017

Dear Kathy and family,
I haven't seen you guys since Lincoln but know that I have been praying for you all for many years. My heart is hurting for you. Steve is dancing with Jesus and will be watching over you until you meet again. May God give you strength to meet every day and His joy to carry you through.

Wanda & Don

April 2, 2017

Steve you are missed so much already. RIP my friend. Until we meet again.

KIRBY WRIGHT

April 2, 2017

So sorry to here that Steve has passed away, we were good friends all thru grade school, we lost contact after high school but still though of him as a good friend, he might be gone but will not be forgotten.

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