Steven H. Girrard

Steven Harry Girrard, 92, passed away March 1, 2025, in Ellensburg, Washington.

Steve was born December 1, 1932, in Sunnydale, Washington, to Harry and Neoma (Thompson) Girrard. He grew up in eastern Oregon (Huntington, Weatherby, Medical Springs and Pondosa), his early grades spent at the one-room Sisley Creek school, then graduating from Huntington High School in 1952. Steve met Lola Suitter in high school and while working at the Suitter ranch outside Durkee, Oregon. In their thirty year marriage they raised three sons, David, Brian, and Ken.

Steve worked at Boeing and Rohr Industries while living in Washington, then at Boise Cascade when the family returned to eastern Oregon.

Steve enjoyed exploring the outdoors on weekend drives and hikes. A pick, a shovel and a gold pan could often be found in the trunk of the car to support his relentless search for “color.” Driving to Weatherby to hike up a rattlesnake-infested mountain to the claim he once worked remains unforgettable. More relaxing were family fishing trips in eastern Oregon, where he and Ken would opt for hikes to Starbottle Pass or Gunsight Peak. He always had a large vegetable garden in the “back forty” in which his three sons supplied unpaid, and unreliable, labor.

After retirement, Steve and his twin brother, Robert, frequently walked through downtown La Grande, Oregon, where they were known by many as “the boys.”

Surviving sons are David, Brian and wife, Juliet, of La Grande, Oregon, Ken and wife, Patricia, of Ellensburg, Washington; brother, Robert, of La Grande. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Neoma, his older brother, Martin, and granddaughter, Tiffany. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams of Ellensburg. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.johnston-williams.com