Stephen Lee Morris, 70

On Dec. 26, 2016, this world lost a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Stephen Lee Morris passed away at his home in Snohomish, Wash., after a courageous yearlong battle with cancer. He was loved by so many, and it is very hard to let him go.

Steve was born to Ray and Bettie Morris on Dec. 31, 1945, in Grand Junction, Colo. He grew up in California, where his best memories were of hunting and fishing in the Feather River canyon in Northern California. He spent his high school years in Covina, Calif., cruising in his customized ’39 Ford coupe, surfing and swimming on Huntington Beach, and being a protective big brother to his younger sister. Steve joined the U.S. Navy in 1963, serving his county as a gunner’s mate on the USS Hornet and USS Midway in Vietnam. After being honorably discharged in 1967, he began his career as a color lithographer in various printing shops in California. Steve relocated to Post Falls, Idaho, in 1977.

In 1979, he married Pat Hoglund. They made a home in Idaho with his two sons and twin daughters. After leaving the printing trade, Steve opened his own autobody shop, Morris Autobody. As any of his numerous friends and beloved family will tell you, Steve lived life to the fullest; horseback riding, team roping, camping, fishing, hunting, gun collecting, and renovating cars and trucks. He could fix anything, and would drop everything to help out a friend. He loved “real country” music, Elvis and rooting on the Seahawks. In 2006, he and his wife moved to Snohomish, where he spent his retirement years fishing on the Snohomish River and spending time with family and friends.

Steve is survived by his wife of 37 years, Pat; son Steve and daughter-in-law Sheree; daughter Allison and son-in law Nikolas Alexander; daughter Jessie and son-in law Ben Rook; and sister Cherryl and brother-in-law Andrew Statson. He was a beloved grandpa to Owen and Ryan Rook, and Silas and Riley Alexander. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Timothy Richard Morris.

A celebration of Steve’s life will be held from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, at the Snazzy Badger, 907 First St., Snohomish. A private military service will be held on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017, at Tahoma National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the American Cancer Society or to a charity of choice.