Stephen Ross Dunaway

Stephen Ross Dunaway, 69, beloved son and brother, husband and father, passed away on Sunday, 25 May 2025, surrounded by his loved ones.
Steve was born in Houston TX on 19 Feb 1956 to Jack and Doreen Dunaway, the first of two sons. He was raised in Sharpstown, one of the first suburbs of Houston. The family had hundreds of outings to nearby Galveston as well as many trips throughout Texas, the southwest and deep south, giving him a taste for travel and adventure.
He joined the Boy Scouts in 1967, and relished the dozens of trips to Camp Strake in the Piney Woods, summer trips to El Ranch Cima in the Hill Country, and rigorous hiking at Philmont in NM. Learning camaraderie and leadership, and always exemplifying excellence, he earned his Eagle Scout medal at age 15, also earning the God and Country medal.
Steve attended Sharpstown High School, where he was president of the SCUBA club, a member of the Key Club, Student Council, and National Honor Society, lettered in tennis, and on the yearbook staff, graduating in 1974.
He attended The University of Texas at Austin, graduating in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, specializing in computer process control. But he still found time to explore the Hill Country, as well as the mind-expanding Austin music scene of Country, Bluegrass, Western, Texas Swing, Blues, Jazz, Folk, and Rock 'n' Roll.
He was a Computer Process Control Engineer for Diamond Shamrock in Deer Park TX for three years, but his adventurist spirit led him to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and eventually Seattle. It was there he found the love of his life, Carol Morrison, and they were married in 1997. Steve, Carol and her son Ryan, settled in Brier, with son Sean soon following in 1999.
He was a loving and caring husband, wonderful father and a great example. Remembering the scouting experiences
of his youth, he shared them with his son Sean. He also took on leadership roles, and was District Commissioner for
Puget Sound for seven years (ending 2016).
Steve and Carol were a part of their Mountlake Church community. He actively showed his love of God, caring
deeply about people, working diligently to help and improve their lives, even strangers'. Steve's final act of service
and love was a corneal donation to the World Vision Group.
Steve finished his career as a Senior Consultant for Slalom Consulting, where he was employed for over 20 years. He
cared deeply about his work and colleagues, and loved the culture of Slalom, participating in its cultivation and
growth.
Steve was larger than life, Texas proud, with an unforgettable sense of humor, often self-deprecating, sometimes
quirky. He had an uncompromising character, was naturally curious and skeptical, an auto-didact in many things. A
gourmet and grill master, he loved to entertain, one of the many expressions of his love of life.
He will be deeply missed by his family, and the many who called him friend.
Steve leaves behind his beloved wife of 28 years, Carol Elizabeth (Morrison) Dunaway of Brier WA, stepson Ryan Christopher Parks and son Sean Ross Dunaway of Seattle WA, brother Brian Dunaway of Missouri City TX, daughter-in-law Tatiana (Admira) Parks and grandson Michael James Parks, aunt Mary (Gage) Hawkins of Austin TX, father-in-law James Irving Morrison & mother-in-law (Eunice) Patricia (Striker) Morrison of Seattle, sisters-in-law Susan Morrison and Janet (Morrison) Chafe, brother-in-law Greg Chafe, and numerous cousins, nieces & nephews.
He is preceded in death by his father Jack Quitman Dunaway and mother Doreen Anne (Gage) Dunaway of Missouri City, uncle Patrick Dunaway of Fort Worth TX, aunts Dorothy (Dunaway) Coy of San Antonio TX, Josephine (Dunaway) Tankersley of Highland Haven TX, Katherine (Dunaway) Galanski of Houston TX, Jane Gage of Austin TX, and Maureen (Gage) Anderson of Baton Rouge LA.
A celebration of life will be held in his honor, information forthcoming.