Tom Steele

1923 - 2013

Tom Steele August 6, 1923 - August 21, 2013 Tom was born on August 6, 1923, to John and Edith Steele in Fresno, California, and moved to Bakersfield with his parents at a young age where he spent the rest of his life. Tom's elementary education was at St. Francis and St. Joseph's parochial schools. He graduated from Kern County Union High School in 1941. Tom served in the U.S. Army for 36 months on the islands of Guam and Hawaii until 1945. After he was discharged from the Army, he worked for Standard Oil Company until 1949. He spent the rest of his career in various positions of law in Kern County: Deputy Marshal, Assistant Marshal and Superior Court Clerk for 32 years. In 1952 Tom met Bonne who worked in the law firm of Dorris, Fleharty, and Phillips. They were married February 21, 1953 - a lifelong loving and devoted commitment. Tom was a devout Catholic, he thought it was a privilege to help serve at St. Philip the Apostle Church as Eucharistic Minister, usher, RCIA and other services. He also helped serve at St. Francis and Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Tom did volunteer work for Catholic Social Services, St. Vincent de Paul Society, The Rescue Mission and the Gleaners. He was also a member of the Oblates. Tom was an avid reader and had a passion for classical music; he played the piano accompanying various musical groups during his high school years. On the island of Hawaii, he gave a piano recital for the servicemen on January 1,1945. Tom had utmost integrity, believed in hard work, unpretentious, unassuming, trusting and generous. Tom adored Bonne, his daughter, Angie, his grandchildren, Jennifer, Laura, Alexzandra and great grandchildren, Ashton, Adam, Zachary, Emma, Christopher, Kaiden and Jaxson. He was a fun-loving man, enjoyed swimming, traveling, and going to the beach with his family. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Richard, Martin, Patrick, and Judge J. Kelly Steele. Survivors are his wife, Bonne, daughter, Angie, granddaughters, Jennifer Gilkison (Chris), Laura Bentley (Chris), and Alexzandra Cox, brother, Bill Steele of Pacifica, nephews Patrick Steele and Richard Steele, his nieces, Mary Anne Stewart-Steele (Jim) and Kathy Steele; also a very special sister-in-law, Bette Harvey. Our special thanks for their loving unwavering support: Father Raffel, Bette Harvey, Bonne's twin, John, Beverly and Sam Patton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Philip the Apostle Church, or a charity of your choice. Service Schedule: Recitation of the Rosary on August 27, 2013, 6:00 p.m., at St. Philip the Apostle Church; Mass of Christian Burial on August 28, 2013, 9:30 a.m., at St. Philip the Apostle Church. Pallbearers: Michael Harvey, Emmett Long, Steve Long, Dan Morin, Sam Patton, and Tony Urzanqui. Honorary Pallbearers: Chris Bentley, Chris Gilkison, John Patton, Robert Schultz, Bill Steele, and Jim Stewart. DOUGHTY-CALHOUN-O'MEARA www.bakersfield.com/obits