Loving son and brother, CHS graduate

Steven Sokolowski, 67, beloved son of Edward J. and Joyce E. Sokolowski died July 29, 2017 at Eisenhower Medical Center, surrounded by family and friends.

Born on March 17, 1950 in Storm Lake, Iowa, Steven was the second of six children. The family moved to California in 1956, soon settling in Claremont, where Steven attended public schools, graduating from Claremont High in 1968.

As a young man, Steven enjoyed a love of sports, playing both baseball and football for Claremont High. After high school, he played center for the New Mexico State University, Las Cruces football team.

Returning to California to continue his college education, Steven played baseball for Citrus College in Azusa and then attended Cal Poly Pomona.

In his spare time, he loved to listen to live music. Sports continued to be a passion well into adulthood, as Mr. Sokolowski was known to enjoy a round of golf, even hitting the links on the island of Kauai on more than one occasion.

Mr. Sokolowski discovered his passion for building homes when he went to work for Ralph Lewis of Lewis Homes in Palm Springs. After settling in Indio, California, Mr. Sokolowski continued his career of building and rebuilding homes throughout the Desert communities.

His family described Steven as straightforward, philosophical and detail oriented, hardworking and honest, and very well respected in the working community. Possessed of a wry and witty sense of humor, he was a loyal friend who made friends for life.

Mr. Sokolowski’s family will remember him as a generous man in both work and friendship. He touched the lives of many and made the world brighter, giving 100 percent of himself to the very end. He will be missed by many.

Mr. Sokolowski was preceded in death by his father Edward and his brother Bob. He is survived by his mother, Joyce, and her partner David; by his brothers Dave, Stanley and Paul; by his sister Connie Hinkle; and by several nieces and nephews.