Stephen Ward Grindall

Stephen “Steve” Ward Grindall was born on August 16, 1947, in Seattle, Washington. He was the youngest of three children born to Denny Graham Grindall and Mary Jeanne Ward Grindall. Born during the postwar years of World War II, Steve grew up surrounded by family, faith, and a deep sense of heritage rooted in the Pacific Northwest. Of pioneer heritage, his grandmother, Loretta Denny Grindall, was the youngest daughter of John William Denny, one of Seattle’s early settlers and related to the original Denny family that helped found the city. Steve lived out that legacy through a lifetime of hard work, creativity, and a willingness to venture into new places and experiences. Balanced with those strengths was his quick wit and wonderful sense of humor—the fun-loving boy in him never truly went away! Growing up in Seattle, Steve’s summers were spent at his family’s beach cabin on Puget Sound near Mukilteo. There he developed a lifelong love of boating and fishing, enjoying the freedom to explore and fish the shores nearby. During these years, he also learned valuable skills and a strong work ethic while helping his family remodel the cabin into a full-time home and working alongside his father in the Aurora Flower Shop and greenhouses in Seattle. That work ethic never left him as he progressed on through life. As a teenager, Steve’s family moved to what was then unincorporated Snohomish County. He attended junior high in Mukilteo and later Cascade High School in Everett, graduating in 1965. Steve often spoke of a teacher in eighth grade who made a profound difference in his life, helping him transform from the young boy in grade school that didn't like school, could barely read, and was constantly out in the hall with notes home to mom, to the young man who learned to apply himself and excel academically. Steve attended Whitworth College in Spokane. He initially planned to study electrical engineering but soon discovered his strengths lay elsewhere and switched to biology. Recognizing the limitations of that degree and inspired by the lifestyle of a close family friend, he applied to the University of Washington School of Dentistry, completing his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1973. During his senior year of dental school, Steve kept running into a nursing student named Nancy who caught his eye. Sharing many of the same interests and goals in life their relationship continued even after Steve graduated and moved away. They were married the following year to go on to enjoy 52 years of marriage and family together. Following dental school, Steve served with the Indian Health branch of the Public Health Service, first in South Dakota and later in Anchorage, Alaska. There he cared for Alaskan Native communities both in the hospital clinic and as an itinerant dentist, flying to remote locations such as the Aleutian Islands and Kodiak Island with portable dental equipment. Although Steve loved Alaska and its outdoor adventures, the call of the family beach home eventually drew him back to Washington. In the winter of 1976, Steve and Nancy returned and were privileged to purchase the family beach house. Steve remodeled a former doctor’s office and established a private dental practice in old town Mukilteo. Often complimented by other dentists who saw his work, he loved his patients and continually worked to expand his skills, particularly enjoying endodontics. You always knew he’d had a good day when he came home with a big smile and talked about a successful root canal he’d completed! Over the course of his career, including his years in Public Health, Steve practiced dentistry for 46 years. Steve and Nancy welcomed seven children into their family between 1979 and 1993. Always devoted to whatever he did, Steve showed that same commitment as a husband and as a father, faithfully providing for his family, and sharing with them his enjoyment of their beach home and venturing out on numerous family adventures such as boating, camping, and exploring places far and wide. Extended family and close friends were also deeply important to him. A committed Christian, Steve first chose to follow Christ at a Young Life camp in Malibu, British Columbia, and later reaffirmed that commitment at a Basic Youth Conflicts seminar. His faith guided his life, his family, and his service to others. Steve had a special delight in people of other nations and cultures, which naturally drew him to short-term mission work. He served in places such as Russia, Kalmykia, Moldova, Uganda, Honduras, and Mexico, often using his dental skills and bringing all or part of his family along to share in the experience of serving others and learning from different cultures. One memorable instance included a time in a Maasai village extracting what was left of a tooth from a young Maasai warrior with a bent can opener as his tool! Steve Grindall will be remembered for his faith, devotion to family, love of people, strong work ethic, and generous spirit. He lived a life marked by service, humility, and joy, leaving a lasting impact on his family, his community, and all those he served. His legacy of love and compassion will continue to be felt for generations. Those who wish to give a special memorial gift in Steve’s honor may direct their gift to the church he loved and appreciated, Cornerstone Bible Church, Lake Stevens, or to support those who are unable to defend themselves at Tiny Heartbeat Ministries, tinyheartbeatministries.com/donate. A Celebration of Life for Steve will be held at Cornerstone Bible Church, 15533 75th St NE, Lake Stevens, Washington on April 18th at 1:30 PM. All who knew and loved Steve are welcome.

Stephen Ward Grindall

August 16, 1947 - March 12, 2026