Steven R. Seagraves

On Sunday, May 29, 1955, Rev. Paul and Elva (Jones) Seagraves of Dumas, Texas welcomed their fourth child, Steven Randal into the world. He made the statement many times, he was born on a Sunday, in church the next Sunday, and has been partial to Sunday ever since! He joined his three brothers and one sister, and later another brother came along. They all became a part of an exciting journey that had originated in Arkansas, had already been through New Mexico, and would take the family from Texas, to California, British Columbia, Canada and Washington state, as their minister father followed the call of God on his life, establishing and pastoring churches. Steven viewed life as an exciting experience and made lifelong friends in each place the family went. When they moved to Seattle when he was 15 years old, he fell in love with the area. Steven also accepted the call of God on his life for ministry, joining not only his father, but his two older brothers in serving God in this capacity. Later, his sister became an ordained minister, and his younger brother a Bible teacher. In 1982, Steven was elected the pastor of the church his father founded in south Seattle, Washington, now the city of SeaTac. He was still the pastor of Christian Life Center at the time of his death. He thoroughly enjoyed teaching and preaching the Infallible Truth of the Word of God to the church family he loved, and always kept everyone’s attention and interest with his quirky sense of humor and made up words! In 1983, he married Leah Oakes of Bald Knob, Arkansas, and she gladly joined him in calling Washington home, even creating Toothpick tours to show visitors the beautiful and historical features of the Seattle area. They took as many opportunities to travel as time, commitments and finances would allow. He loved to find the different and unusual. Even taking the time on one trip through Idaho and Washington to stop at every historical marker on the road that just happened to be part of the Lewis and Clark trail. In December, to celebrate their 35th Anniversary, they went on a 15 day Panama Canal Cruise, a dream of Steven’s for many years. Steven was an ordained minister with the United Pentecostal Church International. He loved the work of the church and had a passion for service. Throughout the past 35 years of his ministry, he has served in Washington District as Sectional Youth Director, District Youth Secretary, and District Youth President; District Sunday School Director, Sectional Secretary, and District Harvestime to Media Missions Director. He and Leah established the Washington District P K program sponsoring and directing the program for 25 years. His love for Preachers Kids was always evident in his ongoing relationship to them and continued prayers for them. The Seagraves were also invited to other districts to hold PK events. They created FYI, a local informational program for young ministers and wives to understand the mechanics of ministry and working of the organizational structure. He played the organ or piano at many sectional and district events beginning not long after the family moved into Washington. On the National level, Steven served as Regional Youth Director. He served as the UPCI Scouting Director, and established the Pentecostal Churches in Scouting Association. This also placed him in the position of liaison to Boy Scouts of America for all Pentecostal churches, and a national planning board member of Boy Scouts of America for religious chartered groups. The friendships he established in those various departments were still a major part of his life. Though he refused to get on social media, everyone knew he could always be reached by email or text. He was happiest at District and General Conferences if he had a job to do! Steven’s favorite hobby was genealogy, if anyone needed an answer about the family; he usually had it and the documentation to prove it. This also kept him connected to cousins all over the United States, and he thoroughly enjoyed emailing them and visiting with them every chance he could. Steven was very civic minded and involved with events as the city of SeaTac was formed and continued to grow. He graduated from two informational academies sponsored by the city: Citizen’s Police Academy and Citizen’s City Leadership Academy. He always said the best way to reach a city was to know, live and work in that city. Though Steven and Leah never had natural children, In 1991, his first spiritual son came into his life, Evangelist Robert Tisdale. He was the first of many who began to call the Seagraves Dad and Mom. The most recent just April of this past year. God blessed him, by extension to be Papa, Papa Steve Uncle Steven, or whatever interesting name each of their children chose to give him. Steven left us suddenly in the early morning of February 15, 2019. He was preceded in death by all four of his grandparents, and his parents. He is survived by the wife he adored and his best friend, Leah. He also leaves behind all of his siblings. Ron (Barbara) of Renton, WA; Paulette, of Inglewood, CA; Gary (Carol) of Everett, WA; Paul (Stephanie) of Gig Harbor, WA. Many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews will miss their Uncle Steven’s corny jokes. The church family, many extended family members and a world of friends will miss him greatly, but will remember him with a smile, because what he loved best in life was to make others laugh.

Steven R. Seagraves

May 29, 1955 - February 15, 2019