Steven Thomas LaVelle, 44, a former Skagit County resident, passed away in Bellingham on May 9, 2013.
He was born on February 1, 1969 in Rifle, Colorado, the son of Thomas & Linda (Jonas) LaVelle. He attended grade school in Ohio, California, Wyoming, and Colorado until the family settled in Anacortes in 1983 where he attended Anacortes Middle and High School.
Steve worked in several industries including commercial fishing, industrial construction, and boat building. He made his home in Anacortes, and the upper Skagit Valley for several years, settling in Bellingham about 10 years ago.
He was a man with many talents. He was a talented artist creating paintings, and sketching with pencils and charcoal and his passion was music and playing the guitar, gathering with friends and fellow musicians to record songs and to just hang out and play.
Steve is survived by his father, Thomas LaVelle of Bellingham; his siblings and their spouses, Scott & Karen LaVelle of Lake Stevens, WA, Anthony LaVelle & Darcey Wijsenbeek of Bowdoinham, ME and Kristin LaVelle-Carr & Ross Carr of Anchorage, AK. He also leaves his nieces and nephews (Geneva Carr, Dylan LaVelle, Sierra LaVelle, Whitney Carr, Meghan LaVelle, Oliver LaVelle, and Mae LaVelle), his ex-wife and stepson (Jhanna and Zacharia Parker) and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Linda, in 1994.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 3:00 PM (now 3 pm not 2 pm as previously stated) at Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley. Private inurnment will be at the Forest Park Cemetery in Concrete.
I still have every little love note that he ever wrote to me. what amazing memories I hold of being a teenager with him. My heart is heavy today.
I only had the pleasure of knowing him for far too short of a time. He was a good man and he will be missed. I will keep the drawing he did for me forever. I miss him!
Steve…you brought the best outta me and sometimes the worst…but mostly the best! I feel like all of your friends are better people because of you. Almost like a crazy Buddah with your intuitive genious you knew how to push peoples buttons and which ones to push…and which ones NOT to push. Forever a jester of mischief…I will always love you…and you will always live on in your family and friends…for ever and ever…
Forever Endeavor.
Great times, with you my friend. My heart goes out to your family in this trying time. May your journey continue with wonderment and splendor. Your creativeness and infectious laugh will be rememebered and cheerished. Till next we meet my friend….
Steve you were my best friend who charmed us all with your quick wit and famous one liners. My thoughts of you will always be cherished much love and respect for my best friend..
What can I say brother? I have known you a dozen years and it could easily have been a dozen more. From day one you treated me like family…and we sure did act like it. The hours of talking, the mischief, the fights, the concerts…you are etched in who I am as you were a part of it for so long. When I was down you gave me and my child a place to live…but didn’t stop there when you took on my friend too. You opened more than your hoe to us and for all you have done I will be eternally grateful. Godspeed good sir…you were one of the most unique individuals I ever knew. Love you brother.
I love you dearly Steve. Both new to Bellingham ,we met as neighbors and became fast friends. It was like we were old buddies just picking up where we left off. We had a lot of great times together over the years, and you were always there for me. You were a joy to be around and could charm anyone with your hilarious sense of humor. Samantha and Allayna miss you truly, and so do I. It won’t be the same without you brother, and I will never forget you.
This is such a stark reminder how little time we spend together . The reunions have been few and far between. We never got to know the heart and soul of our family members and enjoyed each others company and companionship. Time is such a fleeting thing and a precious life has been taken much too soon. We grieve for you and the rest of the family for such precious time lost. We love you and will be there in spirit. Love to Steve and to all who will miss him so very much.
Love, Mary Jane and Mike
At times like these we realize not only the loss of our loved one, but the time lost for our family. We are too scattered about and the brief reunions we had were too few and too far between We grieve for a precious life taken too soon. We never got the chance to be a part of each other’s family and know the heart and soul of loved ones . It is truly a sad day for all of you losing a brother, a son, a friend and a cousin and nephew. Time is precious and is such a fleeting thing. We are sorry we can’t be there but assure you we will be there in spirit.
We love you. Mike and Mary Jane
you were a great friend and I sooooo enjoyed all the times we shared at my sister and James river. No matter what you could ALWAYS make us laugh. So do the same in heaven and give everyone up there a good laugh I love and am gonna miss u terribly.God bless and rest in peace you deserve it!
he was an incredible guy with the heart of gold. He was our best friend and we will truly miss him. In 2006 we had him ordained to marry us because he was our true best friend. so we will always have that special memory of him and we are just gonna miss a truly great man. he was his way and no one was gonna tell him different but that’s who he was and we love you steven Lavelle you will be in our hearts and with us always!!
We share many, MANY great memories of Steve!! From hanging out on Lakeway Dr. with the Zimmermans & Co. to camping at Baker Lake. The stories and memories are endless and priceless! SO glad to have had the opportunity to know him. He will forever be in my heart. Thinking of all his devoted family and friends and wishing I could be near. Miss you, Steve. Rest well.
Love always and forever,
Les
Love u buddy. Thanks for being such a wonderful person in my life.You always brought a smile to my face.
He will be greatly missed, love you Steve…
Steve is one of my most favorite people on this Earth. Bellingham will not be the same without him.
I will be with you in spirit and heart on Tuesday. Steve holds a special place in all my childhood memories from our Wyoming days, and he will be greatly missed. I wish I could be with you all in person, and I’m glad that my folks will be there on behalf of the Chapmans.