Stevan Thomas CHILDS

June 5, 1955 - November 20, 2024

Stevan Thomas Childs, 69, of Spokane, WA, peacefully passed away on November 20, 2024, surrounded by family.

Steve was born June 5, 1955, to Glen and Clararose Childs in Seattle, WA. The oldest of three boys, Steve enjoyed family trips, riding bikes and motorcycles, digging for antique bottles, building tree forts, collecting coins, making peanut butter cookies, and caring for a pet crow named Banjo. While in high school, he was a member of the Seattle Imperials Drum and Bugle Corps and traveled throughout the country playing the drums.

In 1971, Steve and his family moved to Spokane, where he attended Shadle Park High School. In 1973, he married Debbie Forness, and they welcomed the first of their four children in 1974.

Steve worked many different jobs in his early years, including painting homes and at Vern's Pies. He later became a certified welder and automotive mechanic. Steve and his father started a business called Glen's Automotive where they bought and restored cars together. He stopped working due to a brain condition called AV malformation.

He loved the outdoors and always looked for ways to camp, fix up old RVs, or create a space in the backyard to enjoy nature. Steve created his own homestead on a piece of property where he kept animals and had a large garden. His love of nature was instilled in his children with early morning fishing trips, camping trips, and finding the best sledding hills in the winter.

Steve was a naturally gifted artist. He was skilled in ceramics, particularly enjoying raku and creating his own style using emu feathers. His passion for ceramics led him to create a makeshift studio complete with a potter's wheel and kiln. Steve also used his welding skills to craft tables, baker's racks and plant stands. He was the type of person who could imagine it and make it - once creating a usable kayak out of plastic garbage cans.

He also loved animals. At different points in his life, he had peacocks, chickens, rabbits, a snake, a turtle, ducks, a crow, cats, and dogs. You could often find him hatching an emu, chicken or even an ostrich egg in an incubator. His pride and joy were two emus, Charles and Diana. He cared for them for over 20 years and etched beautiful pieces of art on their dark green eggs.

Steve was happiest when surrounded by his loved ones, attending a family reunion in Yakima or listening to music from the 70s, 80s and 90s at a very loud volume.

Although dementia and strokes stole many of his memories, he found comfort sitting together looking at photos and videos of his family. He attended Life Center Church, where he loved to grab a coffee and listen to worship songs.

Steve was predeceased by his parents, Glen and Clararose Childs. He is survived by his children, Shelly Childs, Dawn Wilson, Brian Childs, and Stephanie May; his brothers, Randy Childs and Wayne Childs; and many grandchildren and extended family.

A celebration of life will be held for Steve in the spring. In the meantime, play a song a little too loud by The Moody Blues, The Cars, ZZ Top, or Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and remember our dad.