Steven Arnold Branom

Steven Arnold Branom

Steven (Steve) Arnold Branom passed away on Thursday, July 4 in Belfair, WA of a heart attack. He was 69 years old.

Steve was born on December 13, 1943 to Ray and Vera Branom. He grew up in the Greenwood neighborhood of Seattle and attended Lincoln High School. He then went to college at the University of Washington in Seattle and pledged Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE). He met his future wife, Carolyn Cozart when she became a SAE Little Sister of Minerva. Carolyn and Steve were married on July 30, 1966 in Chelan, WA. Steve graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science in 1966 and went on to attend the University of Washington Law School and graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in 1969.

Steve began his legal career in 1970 as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Washington. He spent the majority of his profession as an attorney for Hackett, Beecher and Hart, a Seattle law firm where his areas of practice ranged from civil litigation, insurance coverage and mediation. In a career spanning more than 40 years, he tried hundreds of cases, in 27 of Washington's 39 counties. Steve received Martindale-Hubbell's highest attorney rating. As a mediator since 1988, he brought a wealth of experience to the table, and an excellent settlement rate of 90%. He is listed in the Washington Law & Politics edition of "Who's Who in ADR." Steve Branom served as Chairman of the Board and Corporate Counsel for the Branom Instrument Company, which was founded by his father, Ray Branom in 1947.

Steve and Carolyn raised their two daughters, Stacey and Sara in Issaquah. They moved in 2010 when he retired from law and they spent their time between their Belfair, Hood Canal and Palm Desert, CA homes with their friends and family.

Along with his wife Carolyn, Steve was a huge Husky fan and they had been Tyee members since 1981. They held impressive tailgating parties with friends and loved supporting their Alma Mater. Steve was the bartender at these events and made a mean Bloody Mary.

Steve enjoyed many hobbies over the years including salmon fishing in Alaska, golf and flying. He became a pilot in his 30s and owned several single-engine Cessna planes.

Throughout their lives, Steve and Carolyn were often with their friends having fun, enjoying good food and wine, taking trips all over the states and world and in the end leaving great memories behind.

Steve was a wonderful man who was deeply loved and respected by all who knew him. He always had a ready smile and laugh and truly loved people and lived life to the fullest. We all miss him and will never forget what an amazing son, brother, cousin, husband, uncle, father, friend and person he was.

Steve is survived by his daughters Stacey Branom who lives in Seattle and Sara Branom Chance, grandchildren Benjamin, Madeleine and Zachary Chance who live in Maple Valley, his brothers Duncan Branom who lives in Portland, Bob Branom, who resides in Seattle, sisters Sue Branom Warter who resides in Woodinville and Jeanne Branom who resides in the Seattle area. He is also survived by seven in-laws and eight nieces and nephews. His mother Vera Biggart Branom passed away on February 19, 2005 and his father Ray Branom passed away on October 7, 2005. His younger brother Bill Branom passed away on February 20, 2010. His beautiful wife and partner of almost 50 years, Carolyn Cozart Branom, passed away of pancreatic cancer on September 19, 2012.

There was not a funeral service. The family would appreciate donations made to the American Heart Association (http://www.heart.org/).