Paul "Tim" Steele

Sep 26, 1945 -

Apr 5, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Paul "Tim" Steele, 79, who died peacefully in hospice attended by family on Apr. 5, 2025. Tim was a devoted family man, true patriot, and a tireless public servant for over 30 years.

Tim was born and raised in Ventura, Calif., and loved to surf. He earned a B.S. in business administration and economics from Fresno State University and an M.S. in environmental management from the University of California, Riverside. He completed two tours of duty in the Army during the Vietnam War. He became a city planner in St. Helena, Calif., where he dabbled in wine making and was an avid home renovator. His second career was with (NOAA) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Corps where he served 16 years retiring as Lieutenant Commander. He met the love of his life Diedra and they married in 1986. Tragically, she was lost to a brain aneurysm in 1999, leaving him two young daughters to raise. An enthusiast for education, he joined the Anchorage School District Board for nine years 2001-2010 and continued his civic leadership being elected to the Anchorage Assembly from 2013–2018.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Diedra D. Fornea Steele; and survived by his daughters, Andrea Ruth Fornea Steele, Katelyn Fornea Steele; son-in-law, John Minakais; and granddaughters, Kora Steele and Zoe Steele. The family would like to express their gratitude to Ancora Hospice and Marlow Manor for their kind, compassionate, and professional care. Tim's life will be honored in a private memorial with family with a public celebration of life to be held later in the year. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alaska Resource Education (akresource.org) or Disabled American Veterans DAV (dav.org).