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J. Steve Sorgee
J. Steve Sorgee passed away peacefully in his home on July 15th, 2014 after a year-long battle with cancer. Steve's 66 years truly made this world a more interesting and engaging place to be. He loved cars and dogs, and cared for many, many people.
Steve was born in 1948 in Rutherfordton, NC near the mill town of Cliffside, where his grandfather "Papa" Sorgee ran the local cafe and other family worked for the mill. His parents, Jim Sorgee and Norma (Mabry) Sorgee moved to Rock Hill, SC when Steve was very young and stayed in that community until their passing.
Steve received his business degree from the University of South Carolina in Columbia and moved to Myrtle Beach in 1972 where he sold t-shirts and blue jeans at a small store called "Tops and Bottoms." Through contacts in Myrtle Beach he made a fateful visit to Seattle in the middle of a rainy 1973 winter, and felt like he was home. He returned to South Carolina, closed up shop, purchased a new 1974 GMC Van that he loaded up, along with two friends, and drove across country to start a new life in Seattle.
Steve was active in the gay community in Seattle from the time he arrived. He was a manager at Shelly's Leg, Seattle's first gay discotheque, helped to establish the Greater Seattle Business Association, and was a founding member of the Ethyl Forever Car Club. He was an active hospice provider, caring for friends throughout the height of the AIDS crisis.
Steve was everyone's car guy. He opened Prospect Motors on Pike Street in the late 70's, providing detailing services and small repairs to those in the downtown and Capitol Hill areas. Steve knew everything about cars. He closed his shop in 1996, and maintained consulting and brokerage services until 2014.
Steve was a consummate storyteller and conversationalist. Friends were entertained by his stories of life in the south, life in the seventies, and life as life should be. While buying a car, customers found themselves with unexpected life coaching sessions, and then friendships. His chosen family in Seattle was a mix of southern transplants, car people, dog people, artists and lovely, wild people from Whidbey Island.
Steve loved being on and in the water. He met the final love of his life, Colin Sexton, at the gym where they both were swimmers. Deep and abiding love. For 16 years, Steve plotted trips and cruises that took the two around the world, meeting travelers that became friends, and spreading his special kind of charm.
Friends expressed that when they died they wanted to come back to life as one of Steve's dogs. Steve found, fostered, adopted and provided care for many dogs in his life. When not in his little compound on Beacon Hill, he could often be found at the dog park surrounded by a pack of dogs that were waiting for attention and snacks from "Uncle Steve."
Steve is survived by many friends and family that feel blessed to have shared life with him and are missing him dearly.
A celebration of life will be held for Steve on August 16th at noon at The Stables in Georgetown, Seattle. Donations can be made in Steve's name to Best Friends Animal Rescue.
J. Steve Sorgee
J. Steve Sorgee passed away peacefully in his home on July 15th, after a year-long battle with cancer. Steve's 66 years truly made this world a more interesting and engaging place to be. He loved cars and dogs, and cared for many, many people.
Steve was born in 1948 in Rutherfordton, NC near the mill town of Cliffside, where his grandfather "Papa" Sorgee ran the local cafe and other family worked for the mill. His parents, Jim Sorgee and Norma (Mabry) Sorgee moved to Rock Hill, SC when Steve was very young and stayed in that community until their passing.
Steve received his business degree from the University of South Carolina in Columbia and moved to Myrtle Beach in 1972 where he sold t-shirts and blue jeans at a small store called "Tops and Bottoms." Through contacts in Myrtle Beach he made a fateful visit to Seattle in the middle of a rainy 1973 winter, and felt like he was home. He returned to South Carolina, closed up shop, purchased a new 1974 GMC Van that he loaded up, along with two friends, and drove across country to start a new life in Seattle.
Steve was active in the gay community in Seattle from the time he arrived. He was a manager at Shelly's Leg, Seattle's first gay discotheque, helped to establish the Greater Seattle Business Association, and was a founding member of the Ethyl Forever Car Club. He was an active hospice provider, caring for friends throughout the height of the AIDS crisis.
Steve was everyone's car guy. He opened Prospect Motors on Pike Street in the late 70's, providing detailing services and small repairs to those in the downtown and Capitol Hill areas. Steve knew everything about cars. He closed his shop in 1996, and maintained consulting and brokerage services until 2014.
Steve was a consummate storyteller and conversationalist. Friends were entertained by his stories of life in the south, life in the seventies, and life as life should be. While buying a car, customers found themselves with unexpected life coaching sessions, and then friendships. His chosen family in Seattle was a mix of southern transplants, car people, dog people, artists and lovely, wild people from Whidbey Island.
Steve loved being on and in the water. He met the final love of his life, Colin Sexton, at the gym where they both were swimmers. Deep and abiding love. For 16 years, Steve plotted trips and cruises that took the two around the world, meeting travelers that became friends, and spreading his special kind of charm.
Friends expressed that when they died they wanted to come back to life as one of Steve's dogs. Steve found, fostered, adopted and provided care for many dogs in his life. When not in his little compound on Beacon Hill, he could often be found at the dog park surrounded by a pack of dogs that were waiting for attention and snacks from "Uncle Steve."
Steve is survived by many friends and family that feel blessed to have shared life with him and are missing him dearly.
A celebration of life will be held for Steve on August 16th at noon at The Stables in Georgetown, Seattle. Donations can be made in Steve's name to Best Friends Animal Rescue. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/seattletimes/obituary.aspx?pid=172053864#sthash.QIzbzW65.dpuf
J. Steve Sorgee
J. Steve Sorgee passed away peacefully in his home on July 15th, after a year-long battle with cancer. Steve's 66 years truly made this world a more interesting and engaging place to be. He loved cars and dogs, and cared for many, many people.
Steve was born in 1948 in Rutherfordton, NC near the mill town of Cliffside, where his grandfather "Papa" Sorgee ran the local cafe and other family worked for the mill. His parents, Jim Sorgee and Norma (Mabry) Sorgee moved to Rock Hill, SC when Steve was very young and stayed in that community until their passing.
Steve received his business degree from the University of South Carolina in Columbia and moved to Myrtle Beach in 1972 where he sold t-shirts and blue jeans at a small store called "Tops and Bottoms." Through contacts in Myrtle Beach he made a fateful visit to Seattle in the middle of a rainy 1973 winter, and felt like he was home. He returned to South Carolina, closed up shop, purchased a new 1974 GMC Van that he loaded up, along with two friends, and drove across country to start a new life in Seattle.
Steve was active in the gay community in Seattle from the time he arrived. He was a manager at Shelly's Leg, Seattle's first gay discotheque, helped to establish the Greater Seattle Business Association, and was a founding member of the Ethyl Forever Car Club. He was an active hospice provider, caring for friends throughout the height of the AIDS crisis.
Steve was everyone's car guy. He opened Prospect Motors on Pike Street in the late 70's, providing detailing services and small repairs to those in the downtown and Capitol Hill areas. Steve knew everything about cars. He closed his shop in 1996, and maintained consulting and brokerage services until 2014.
Steve was a consummate storyteller and conversationalist. Friends were entertained by his stories of life in the south, life in the seventies, and life as life should be. While buying a car, customers found themselves with unexpected life coaching sessions, and then friendships. His chosen family in Seattle was a mix of southern transplants, car people, dog people, artists and lovely, wild people from Whidbey Island.
Steve loved being on and in the water. He met the final love of his life, Colin Sexton, at the gym where they both were swimmers. Deep and abiding love. For 16 years, Steve plotted trips and cruises that took the two around the world, meeting travelers that became friends, and spreading his special kind of charm.
Friends expressed that when they died they wanted to come back to life as one of Steve's dogs. Steve found, fostered, adopted and provided care for many dogs in his life. When not in his little compound on Beacon Hill, he could often be found at the dog park surrounded by a pack of dogs that were waiting for attention and snacks from "Uncle Steve."
Steve is survived by many friends and family that feel blessed to have shared life with him and are missing him dearly.
A celebration of life will be held for Steve on August 16th at noon at The Stables in Georgetown, Seattle. Donations can be made in Steve's name to Best Friends Animal Rescue. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/seattletimes/obituary.aspx?pid=172053864#sthash.QIzbzW65.dpuf
J. Steve Sorgee
J. Steve Sorgee passed away peacefully in his home on July 15th, after a year-long battle with cancer. Steve's 66 years truly made this world a more interesting and engaging place to be. He loved cars and dogs, and cared for many, many people.
Steve was born in 1948 in Rutherfordton, NC near the mill town of Cliffside, where his grandfather "Papa" Sorgee ran the local cafe and other family worked for the mill. His parents, Jim Sorgee and Norma (Mabry) Sorgee moved to Rock Hill, SC when Steve was very young and stayed in that community until their passing.
Steve received his business degree from the University of South Carolina in Columbia and moved to Myrtle Beach in 1972 where he sold t-shirts and blue jeans at a small store called "Tops and Bottoms." Through contacts in Myrtle Beach he made a fateful visit to Seattle in the middle of a rainy 1973 winter, and felt like he was home. He returned to South Carolina, closed up shop, purchased a new 1974 GMC Van that he loaded up, along with two friends, and drove across country to start a new life in Seattle.
Steve was active in the gay community in Seattle from the time he arrived. He was a manager at Shelly's Leg, Seattle's first gay discotheque, helped to establish the Greater Seattle Business Association, and was a founding member of the Ethyl Forever Car Club. He was an active hospice provider, caring for friends throughout the height of the AIDS crisis.
Steve was everyone's car guy. He opened Prospect Motors on Pike Street in the late 70's, providing detailing services and small repairs to those in the downtown and Capitol Hill areas. Steve knew everything about cars. He closed his shop in 1996, and maintained consulting and brokerage services until 2014.
Steve was a consummate storyteller and conversationalist. Friends were entertained by his stories of life in the south, life in the seventies, and life as life should be. While buying a car, customers found themselves with unexpected life coaching sessions, and then friendships. His chosen family in Seattle was a mix of southern transplants, car people, dog people, artists and lovely, wild people from Whidbey Island.
Steve loved being on and in the water. He met the final love of his life, Colin Sexton, at the gym where they both were swimmers. Deep and abiding love. For 16 years, Steve plotted trips and cruises that took the two around the world, meeting travelers that became friends, and spreading his special kind of charm.
Friends expressed that when they died they wanted to come back to life as one of Steve's dogs. Steve found, fostered, adopted and provided care for many dogs in his life. When not in his little compound on Beacon Hill, he could often be found at the dog park surrounded by a pack of dogs that were waiting for attention and snacks from "Uncle Steve."
Steve is survived by many friends and family that feel blessed to have shared life with him and are missing him dearly.
A celebration of life will be held for Steve on August 16th at noon at The Stables in Georgetown, Seattle. Donations can be made in Steve's name to Best Friends Animal Rescue. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/seattletimes/obituary.aspx?pid=172053864#sthash.QIzbzW65.dpuf
J. Steve Sorgee
J. Steve Sorgee passed away peacefully in his home on July 15th, after a year-long battle with cancer. Steve's 66 years truly made this world a more interesting and engaging place to be. He loved cars and dogs, and cared for many, many people.
Steve was born in 1948 in Rutherfordton, NC near the mill town of Cliffside, where his grandfather "Papa" Sorgee ran the local cafe and other family worked for the mill. His parents, Jim Sorgee and Norma (Mabry) Sorgee moved to Rock Hill, SC when Steve was very young and stayed in that community until their passing.
Steve received his business degree from the University of South Carolina in Columbia and moved to Myrtle Beach in 1972 where he sold t-shirts and blue jeans at a small store called "Tops and Bottoms." Through contacts in Myrtle Beach he made a fateful visit to Seattle in the middle of a rainy 1973 winter, and felt like he was home. He returned to South Carolina, closed up shop, purchased a new 1974 GMC Van that he loaded up, along with two friends, and drove across country to start a new life in Seattle.
Steve was active in the gay community in Seattle from the time he arrived. He was a manager at Shelly's Leg, Seattle's first gay discotheque, helped to establish the Greater Seattle Business Association, and was a founding member of the Ethyl Forever Car Club. He was an active hospice provider, caring for friends throughout the height of the AIDS crisis.
Steve was everyone's car guy. He opened Prospect Motors on Pike Street in the late 70's, providing detailing services and small repairs to those in the downtown and Capitol Hill areas. Steve knew everything about cars. He closed his shop in 1996, and maintained consulting and brokerage services until 2014.
Steve was a consummate storyteller and conversationalist. Friends were entertained by his stories of life in the south, life in the seventies, and life as life should be. While buying a car, customers found themselves with unexpected life coaching sessions, and then friendships. His chosen family in Seattle was a mix of southern transplants, car people, dog people, artists and lovely, wild people from Whidbey Island.
Steve loved being on and in the water. He met the final love of his life, Colin Sexton, at the gym where they both were swimmers. Deep and abiding love. For 16 years, Steve plotted trips and cruises that took the two around the world, meeting travelers that became friends, and spreading his special kind of charm.
Friends expressed that when they died they wanted to come back to life as one of Steve's dogs. Steve found, fostered, adopted and provided care for many dogs in his life. When not in his little compound on Beacon Hill, he could often be found at the dog park surrounded by a pack of dogs that were waiting for attention and snacks from "Uncle Steve."
Steve is survived by many friends and family that feel blessed to have shared life with him and are missing him dearly.
A celebration of life will be held for Steve on August 16th at noon at The Stables in Georgetown, Seattle. Donations can be made in Steve's name to Best Friends Animal Rescue. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/seattletimes/obituary.aspx?pid=172053864#sthash.QIzbzW65.dpuf
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Joe Means
I'm sorry to hear about Steve's passing. His family moved to RH when we were in elementary school while he was in my late sister Brenda Means Barker's class. Steve was always fun to be around and he and his family were great neighbors. I'll always remember when my family was on vacation in Florida, who did we run into at a carnival in Daytona. You guessed it "The Sorgees." Steve came up behind me and called me by name which was amazing to run into your neighbor almost 500 miles away from home. When I moved to Columbia in 1971, Steve gave me a call to try and help me find an apartment and ease the transition from my move. We lost touch after this and our paths never crossed again. I find it ironic that Steve was in the car business since his father, Jim, was the Sales Manager for Good Motor Company. I used to enjoy watching all the luxury cars his Dad would bring home each day from work. RIP Steve.