Daily Sitka Sentinel

Steven C. Younger, Former Sitkan, Dies in California

Steven Craig Younger

 

Steven Craig Younger, loving and dedicated husband, brother and uncle, passed away August 10, 2020, in Placerville, California. He was 70.

Steven was born on June 9, 1950, in Ross, California, to Owen and Jeannette (Marshall) Younger. He grew up in Ione and graduated from Ione High School in 1968.

Steven joined the U.S. Marine Corps to proudly serve his country from January 1969 through February 1971, during the Vietnam War. He served as a maintenance technician and heavy truck supply driver. He received several honors for his service: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Meritorious Mast for going above and beyond the call of duty in support of his Unit, and Rifle Sharp Shooter distinction. He was Honorably discharged with the rank of Lance Corporal.

Not long after completing his military service, Steven moved to Sitka. He attended Sheldon Jackson College and received a degree in forestry engineering and met his first wife Joy. He worked as an engineer in the ALP Woods Division for Alaska Lumber and Pulp Co. for 14 years.

In 1986 he moved back to Ione and began working for the City of Ione on August 1, 1986, and took great pride in his job as maintenance supervisor for 27 years until his retirement in December 2011. Janice Traverso remembers Steven: “I will always remember Steve’s positive attitude as well as his willingness to help City staff and the citizens of Ione. I enjoyed every day working with Steve.”  Asked by his wife, Pam, why he was leaving so early for work on a rainy autumn morning, Steven would answer, “I have to – this is my town! The streets won’t clean themselves!” Steven was known for his unique sense of humor. 

When Steven moved back to Ione he rekindled a relationship with his high school sweetheart, Pamela Schauer. Pam and Steven were married on April 9, 1988. Until Steve’s illness and hospitalization, and due to restrictions placed on visitation, they had never spent more than a few days apart in the last 32 years.

Pam and Steven enjoyed traveling together up and down the west coast, fishing, camping and spending time with friends and family. They especially loved venturing back to Sitka (his home away from home) as often as possible to fish, hunt and visit with family, longtime friends Pete and Mary Walden, David Coleman, among others. He mostly just liked to spend his retirement relaxing in his back yard with Pam and his wonderful neighbors.

Steven loved to cook and Pam loved to eat his cooking – a match made in heaven! He relished spending time in his garden every summer, making huge batches of homemade salsa and watching the San Francisco Giants and 49ers on TV. Steven had a wicked sense of humor and loved to tease everyone, but especially his brothers and sisters. All in all, Pam often says that, “My Steven C. really only had ONE job, and that was to make me laugh at least once every day and he was VERY good at that job!”

In his passing, Steven is survived by his loving and adoring wife Pamela Younger of Ione; six siblings, sister Hellen “Lorrie” Wilson of Ione, brother Jon Younger of Ione, brother Philip Younger of Phoenix, Arizona, sister Valerie Daley of Suisun City, California, sister Linda Sherwood of Poulsbo, Washington, and Debra Harris of Sacramento; and a veritable plethora of unruly yet lovable in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.

“Steven C., your impact on all of our lives has been profound. You said what you meant and you meant what you said,” his family wrote. “You were an example of living a life of integrity in your own gruff and grumpy style and you didn’t care what people thought about it, but when asked you would gladly and unselfishly give anyone in need the shirt off your back. You are loved and missed dearly! Rest in Peace.”

As per Steven’s wishes there will be no public services or memorial.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, it was Steven’s desire for donations to be made to the Ione Fire Department.

Memorial contributions may be made to the following: Ione Firefighters Association, 600 Preston Ave., Ione, CA  95640. “In Memory of Steven Younger for the purchase of fire and rescue equipment.”

 

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.danerimortuary.com and signing the guest book.