Stephen Arthur Towner, of Murrieta, California, died on September 18, 2026, two weeks after his 85th birthday. He was born on September 4, 1941, in Long Beach, California, the oldest of four sons of Elverne “Hap” and Elizabeth “Bettie” (Richardson) Towner.
His father was a Navy officer, and the family moved often during Steve’s childhood. Hap was stationed at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked; Steve was three months old. Three months later, his mother and Steve were sent by boat back to California. In the years that followed, the family lived in Kodiak, Alaska; Pensacola, Florida; Japan; and the Seattle area.
Steve graduated from Edmonds High School, where he was recognized as a standout baseball player. He continued to play baseball and softball for much of his life, as a pitcher or first baseman, and later enjoyed golf with his sons and brothers.
In 1964 he enlisted in the Army, hoping to play his saxophone in the Army band. He didn’t play with the band but served in the National Guard for 5 years during the Vietnam war. (64-69)
Steve married Patricia Ann Dunn in 1965. They divorced in 1972. Steve and Patricia had one daughter, Stephanie Ann Towner, born in 1968. In 1976 he married Sheila Larsen. He became a father to her two children, Sean (1969) and Mindy (1973), and together they had three more children: Rachel (1978), Christian (1979), and Adam (1984). In 1989 they moved from Washington to Vista, California, with Mindy, Chris, Rachel, and Adam. Steve and Sheila were married for 50 years.
From a young age, Steve was a gifted speaker and salesman. In one of his first jobs, he sold encyclopedias and became the top salesman in the country for his company. He later worked as a realtor in Washington and then in California until 2004. He then trained as a hearing-aid dispenser and continued in that work until he retired in 2014. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2008; as the illness progressed, he gradually became unable to work.
Steve was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as bishop of the Yakima, Washington ward from 1984 to 1989 and as a counselor in the bishopric of the Vista, California ward. He enjoyed all his callings and assignments, including teaching Primary and Gospel Doctrine and serving as a Scout leader. He was known for his kindness, patient and loving counsel, and willingness to help others.
He is survived by his wife, Sheila Towner; his children, Stephanie Cwieka and her husband, Matthew; Sean Larsen and his wife, Tara; Melinda Brawley and her husband, Derek; Christian Towner and his wife, SeQuoia; Rachel Saunders and her husband, Aaron; and Adam Towner and his wife, Holly. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, and by his brothers, Richard, Eric, and Mark.
