David Lee Steele

David Lee Steele, of Port Ludlow, WA, formerly of Olympia, WA, died on August 3, 2023 at the age of 71 from a long battle with cancer.

David is survived by his wife of 51 years, Cairn Carleton Steele; his children, April Steele Hamilton and son Lee Steele; his grandchildren McKellen and Addison Hamilton and Skyelar and Koa Steele; his son-in-law Donald “Butch” Hamilton; and his daughter-in-law Karly Swanson Steele. David was predeceased by his parents and brother Earl N. Steele.

David was born in Burlington, Washington on September 9, 1951, to Richard N. Steele and Hellen E. Harrison Steele. He graduated from Burlington-Edison High School in 1969 and then graduated from the University of Washington with degrees in Forest Management and Forest Recreation in 1974. After graduation, David started working for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). David’s first job with the DNR was in the engineering department where he became interested in surveying; he soon began studying and learning all that he could and became a Professional Land Surveyor. He worked for the DNR until his official retirement in 2005. David was awarded the honor of being “2003 Surveyor of the Year” by his peers before his retirement.

David had a love of the outdoors and achieved his Eagle Scout designation in 1966. David was proud to be a third-generation shellfish grower and started earning money from picking oysters at the age of 5. David worked in the oyster beds all during his school years, part time while working at the DNR, and returned to the shellfish industry full time after his retirement from the DNR. David served as Treasurer and Vice President as well as being the first third-generation President of the shellfish growers association. While working at the DNR, David was responsible as the State Land Surveyor for monitoring and writing the regulations and laws governing the profession within the state. With this knowledge, David also assisted the shellfish industry developing regulations and laws governing the industry and frequently met with agencies and legislators in Olympia and Washington D.C. to advocate for preserving the rights of the shellfish industry. For all his work in the industry and providing assistance to the other growers dealing with government agencies and permitting requirements, David was awarded the honor of being the “Prince of Tides” by the shellfish growers association in 2017.

David was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He always made time to take the children and grandchildren swimming and boating. He loved long walks with the family dogs, especially Scout. David met his wife on a blind date in college and they were together from then on and she will miss the twinkle in his eyes when he is up to mischief. He was also a problem-solver who took on difficult and unwanted projects at work, in the industry, and around the house. He was always tirelessly busy. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.