Obituary of James Steele

James Stanley "Stan" Steele returned to his Lord on Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at his home in Camas with his family at his side after courageously battling a sixty year battle with Type I Diabetes. Born on November 21, 1938 in Maryville, Tennessee to James and Edna (Anderson) Steele; Stan was 72 years old. Stan graduated from Fort Vancouver High School and then went on and received his Associate of Arts Degree from Clark College in Vancouver. On April 19, 1958 he married the love of his life Loretta Jean Fantini. He worked for twenty-five years as a body and fender repairman and then as an addictions counselor for CDAC for fifteen years. Outside of work Stan enjoyed boating, hunting, fishing, photography, gardening, woodworking, cooking, vintage cars, and was an avid reader. Most of all Stan enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Stan is survived by his loving wife of 52 years Loretta at home; children Lori Steele Higgs of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Jamie (Bob) Sagerser of Seattle, Marc (Cathy) Steele of Vancouver, and Jodie White of Vancouver; brother Harold (Linda) Steele of Arizona; sister Patricia Steele of Vancouver; sixteen grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his brother Winfred Anderson. There will be a celebration of Stan's life on Monday, December 13th at 1:00 pm at Brown's Funeral Home in Camas. Viewing will be held Monday prior to the service starting at 10:00 am. A private natural burial will follow at the Fern Prairie Cemetery in Camas. Memorials in Stan's honor may be sent to Voice of the Martyrs Ministry P.O. Box 443; Bartlesville, OK 74005-0443 or Hospice Southwest: 100 E 33rd St # 201; Vancouver, WA 98663-2776. Brown's Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Camas has been entrusted with arrangements.