Stephen Shinn

Stephen Bradley Shinn passed away in Moses Lake on October 16, 2008, surrounded by people who loved him. Steve was born February 17, 1945 in Spokane, Washington. He was the first child of Frank and Lois (Schimmels) Shinn. His family moved to Moses Lake in 1955 and he was raised on a farm east of town. After graduating from Moses Lake High School in 1963, he attended Gonzaga University, graduated with a degree in Accounting, and became a CPA. While attending Gonzaga, he met his wife Mary Taylor, whom he married on December 21, 1968. The couple moved to Coeur d’Alene where Steve worked for a public accounting firm. They returned to Moses Lake in the fall of 1974 where Steve farmed in Block 89 and worked with his father in the family business, Shinn Irrigation. Early in 1982 Steve bought the assets of his father’s business and renamed the firm Desert Irrigation. Steve retired from active business in 1996. Steve was one of Moses Lake’s most actively involved community members. He was a passionate supporter of the Columbia Basin Development League and worked to reform water right issues and the expansion of the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project. His deep concern for his community’s well-being and future led to two terms as a Moses Lake City Councilman from 1978 to 1982 and then again in 2002 to 2006. He held various leadership positions promoting the Columbia Basin Farmers Market and could be found at Civic Park almost every Saturday during the market season. Steve was involved in many other community organizations and was able to attend meetings until the last few weeks of his life. The family enjoyed hot air ballooning together for more than twenty-five years and traveled as far as Saga, Japan and Bogota, Colombia to participate in this sport. Steve, his wife Mary, and daughter Stephanie all earned their FAA Lighter-than-air pilot licenses. Steve liked exploring Washington State as much as he delighted in traveling to other states, South America, Mexico, Japan, New Zealand, Canada, and most European countries. Steve and Mary own a second home on lower Puget Sound where Steve created a tiny protected area on the beach to raise several varieties of oysters that he loved to barbeque. Steve planted a large flower garden in Moses Lake every year and especially loved dahlias. In addition to Mary, Steve is survived by his parents Frank Shinn and Lois Shinn of Moses Lake, daughter Stephanie and her husband Mark Hughes, and grandsons Jonathan and Daniel of Spokane. He is also survived by his loving sisters Denise and husband Brooks Heard of Trout Lake, and Connie and husband Larry Beck of Mica; brother Frank and friend Cassie of La Pine, Oregon; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Kelly Shinn of Moses Lake, Tom and Margie Taylor of Olympia, Rick and Lynne Taylor of Shelton, and John and Jean Taylor of Edmonds. Steve will also be missed by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his younger brother, John Shinn. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Friday, October 24, 2:00 pm at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Moses Lake. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his memory to the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 1337, Moses Lake, Washington, 98837.

Stephen Shinn

February 17, 1945 - October 16, 2008