Stephen L. Kaes

Steve went to be with our Lord on February 8, 2016, after a long battle with cancer.
Steve was born to William and Marilyn (Thornton) Kaes in Boston, Massachusetts, on November 30, 1956. He was the third of five children with two brothers and two sisters.

His family moved from Massachusetts to Mill Valley, California in 1966, and then to Port Orchard, Washington in 1973 where Steve graduated from South Kitsap High School. He joined the Air Force shortly after graduating and was stationed at San Bernadino, CA. Following four years in the Air Force specializing in heating systems, he joined the civil service as a Boiler Mechanic and remained in San Bernadino until 1986. He returned to Port Orchard and continued his career as a Boiler Mechanic at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton. Steve moved to Everett when he began working at Boeing in 2011. He was proud to work there and really enjoyed his new job as a structural mechanic.

Steve was a devoted bicyclist all through his youth and travelled a lot of miles on his 10-speed. He was at the front of the pack nearing the finish line when he once participated in a race from Kitsap County to Yakima. He kept to the two-wheeled transportation when he moved to San Bernadino and bought a motorcycle. He took full advantage of the southern California weather, riding it daily and taking pleasure trips. Steve returned to Washington with a Camaro that he drove for many, many years, but his favorite vehicle by far was the new one he bought a couple of years ago. He named “her” Black Beauty and loved driving that car; whenever or wherever, he didn’t need a reason to get behind the wheel. His favorite tune to drive by was the Sammy Hagar song, “I Can’t Drive 55”.

Steve enjoyed travelling and camping trips with his family during his younger years. He was a quiet man and he took pleasure in quiet pursuits; he particularly liked being near the water, going crabbing or just spending time on the shore enjoying the quiet time gazing at the water thinking his thoughts. He liked doing jigsaw puzzles, playing games on his computer, and was an avid reader. Steve liked spending time with his friends and family members, be it in person or just chatting on the telephone, and all of these relationships were special to him. He was always welcoming and kind to others and would do anything he could for those in need.

Steve was a man of strong faith. He was a devout Christian and his Bible was always close at hand. In addition to spending time reading it, he pursued Bible studies as well. Steve’s faith got him through the hard times in his life, especially these last few years when his health was failing. May he rest in peace in the arms of his Lord and Savior.

Steve was preceded in death by his father, William Kaes, and his Uncle Richard Thornton. He is survived by his mother, Marilyn, his brothers and sisters, Bill, Linda, Brian, and Dianne, and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, February 19th, at 11:00 AM at
St. Bede Episcopal Church, 1578 SE Lider Road, Port Orchard. The service will be followed by a short gathering for friends and family at the church reception hall.