Steven James Dawkins

Steven James Dawkins wouldn't want his obituary to start with the day he died but with the beautiful life he lived instead.

Steve, "Dawk," or "Papa" grew up in Eatonville, Washington, a town nestled at the foot of Mount Rainier. His Norman Rockwell-esque childhood evokes nostalgia between his siblings and for his children and grandchildren who loved visiting his roots and hearing the stories from his small-town upbringing. The recipe for his mother's sugar cookies lives on in perpetuity.

Steve went to the Air Force Academy for two years before transferring to The University of Washington so that he could marry Vera, the love of his life, in the summer of '69. They settled in Queen Ann Hill, Washington. Penniless, but rich in love, they got a dog named Tramp, danced to Dean Martin and dined on fish and chips down by the Seattle waterfront, bought with the wages of long delivery truck days and waitressing tips.

In one of their favorite young love songs, You're Nobody 'Till Somebody Loves You, Dean Martin explains ...

You may be king, you may possess the world

And it's gold

But gold won't bring you

Happiness when you're growing old

Well, you're nobody until someone comes and loves you, so find yourself

somebody to love.

Steve and Vera knew they had the kind of love worth living for so together they went about building a life of things that do bring you happiness when you're growing old.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19, ESV).

On the values of faith, generosity, and hard work, they slowly built a family of five. The lived in Texas, Illinois, Arizona, Indiana, and Missouri, making many houses home and gathering friends, co-workers and dear ones along the way. Before he knew it, he was called "Papa," in addition to "Dad" and the number of people who loved him continued to multiply. After retiring from a long career in the moving industry which ended as Executive Vice President for United Van Lines in 2018 at their offices in St. Louis, Steve and Vera relocated for the last time to Arizona.

His golden retriever mutt, Windex, his grand piano, and a grande French roast coffee were the earthly things that rivaled for his greatest affection. Next might be a slice of warm bread loaded with butter and a nautical novel no one had heard of. His piano playing blessed many audiences over the years, and his children and grandchildren will forever associate their dad and their Papa with the sound of the ivories.

Although Steve hated the desert heat (and never let anyone forget it), living close to his only son, Jesse, his daughter-in-law, Vicki and his grandson Case, was one of his sweetest joys in his final season. He enjoyed taking steak and potatoes straight off his son's grill (even when he said he wasn't hungry) and enduring the Arizona weather to see his grandson catch a football.

One of the last activities he could participate in was meeting his son for "cribbage and coffee" at dark thirty in the morning. Their final game score was in Jesse's favor when Steve left this earth, so there will surely be a rematch in heaven with Windex the dog by their side and a pile of sugar cookies just within arm's reach.

You're nobody 'til somebody loves you, so find yourself somebody to love ...

For fifty-six years, Steve and Vera were that somebody to love, and on July 27, 2025, they enjoyed their last cup of coffee and some reminiscing in the morning, and by afternoon Steve took his final breath. Vera was relieved to see the pain leave his face and explains, "By the grace of God Steve has lived a good life, fought the good fight and won the victory!"

Vera will remember him as her everything - an unwavering companion through every emotion of a long and beautiful life and a husband who bought fresh flowers no matter how many times she told him to stop. His kids will remember him as a dad who beat them in ping pong because it built character but also as a generous and forgiving father in a "tough guy" disguise. His love for Christmas morning, crisp, cold air, and strong coffee live on in all three of them, as does his uncompromising belief in the God of the Bible, and living a life of integrity and faith.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Jess Dawkins and Madora Dawkins, his big brother, Jay Dawkins and his little sister, Anita Dawkins. He is survived by his little brothers, Danny and Mark Dawkins, and his big sister, Suzanne Lustie.

He is further remembered and grieved by his loving wife, Vera, and his three children - Kimberlee (David), Jesse (Vicki), and Brittany (James). His ten grandchildren will especially miss his sharp humor, enduring generosity, epic Blackjack games and extra servings of whipped cream. Ashley (29), Erica (26), Paige (24), DJ (21), Parker (23), Tanner (20), Case (11) Eli (14), Luke (11), Ariella (6).

Steve will be laid to rest in The National Cemetery in Pheonix, Arizona, on October 24, 2025, in a service for his immediate family.