Stephen Moline Bowers

June 14, 1951 - February 12, 2012

Stephen went to be with our Lord and Savior on February 12, 2012. He had battled esophageal cancer since 2005.

His passion to live was evident by his love of family and friends and never complaining during treatment, even when he endured complications. Stephen's personality was warm and caring, and when he encountered others, he would always ask about their welfare with a warm "How are you?"

Stephen was born and raised in Chicago Heights, Illinois, to Harold and Irene Bowers. He graduated from Chicago Heights Bloom High School and attended DePaul University.

Leaving Illinois in 1977 for the sunshine of Long Beach, California, he met the love of his life, Deborah. Married on April 29, 1978, they enjoyed living in California until they relocated to Sequim in 1996.

They ventured into the coffee business in Port Angeles with the purchase of Mombasa Coffee Co. Ltd., enjoying coffee roasting and the retail aspect of the business, closing in 2005. The remainder of days was spent together enjoying the blessings of the Lord.

Stephen was proud to be a Mason, past master of San Fernando Masonic Lodge No. 343 in California and lifetime member of Sequim Masonic Lodge No. 213. Although Steve was not a military veteran, you would have thought otherwise. He was devoted to God, family and country. His family often adopted deployed soldiers through www.soldiersangels.org.

He worked as a maintenance mechanic machinist working for Stauffer Chemical, Interlake Steel, Union Oil, Standard Oil and Monsanto Chemical and ended his career with Anheuser-Busch in Van Nuys, California.

He had a passion for metal fabrications, loved wood working, gardening and puttering around the house, making lists and checking them twice. He was an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears fan and could be found rooting for the Seattle Seahawks with friends.

In addition to being surrounded by his family in his illness, he was loved and comforted by his animals he adored: his cat, two American Eskimos and his chocolate Lab. Steve enjoyed traveling and was fortunate to have traveled abroad and across the United States with his wife, family and friends.

Stephen is survived by his wife, Deborah Bowers of Sequim; son Stephen Michael Bowers of Sequim; daughter and husband Stacy Michelle Bowers Watzka and Rick Watzka of Two Rivers, Wisconsin; daughter and husband Shelly Marlene Bowers Myers and Michael Myers of Bowie, Arizona; four beloved grandchildren, Michelle, Kristin, Christianna and Wesley; and many loving cousins, nephews and nieces. Stephen was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial services: Saturday, March, 24, 2012, at 4 p.m. at Sequim Masonic Lodge, 700 South Fifth Avenue, Sequim.

Donations may be made to Dream Foundation (Adult Make a Wish), 1528 Chapala Street, Suite 304, Santa Barbara, CA 93101; or to Olympic Medical Center Center Patient Navigator Fund, 844 North Fifth Avenue, Sequim, WA 98382.