Published in Houston Chronicle on May 13, 2012

Steven Paul Valerius passed away on Thursday, the 10th of May 2012, in La Porte, Texas.
Steve was born on the 5th of December 1954, in Pasco, Washington, to Mary Nell Cates Valerius and Michael Marcus Valerius. He attended the United States Coast Guard Academy, and graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 1976 with a Bachelor's degree in accounting. Upon his graduation, Steve became a CPA. In 1991, Steve received his J.D. from the South Texas School of Law.
He began his career with Peat Marwick in 1976, and then joined Hollywood Marine in 1979, progressing to become executive vice president. In 1999, Steve became president of Kirby Inland Marine, retiring in 2009. Most recently, Steve was working with the Lawrence family interests, including Bayou City Pump and Forrest Services, LLC.
Over the years, Steve was active in many organizations, including serving as the chairman of The American Waterways Operators and The Texas Waterway Operators Association, serving with the Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association, The Waterways Council, and the National Waterways Conference. He was also a former president of The Texas Nature Conservancy, served on the board of the Houston Yacht Club, and was active as the current chairman of the Advisory Board of Texas A&M at Galveston. He served on the Water Board of La Porte, the Gulf Coast Conservation Association, Boys and Girls Harbor, The Rotary Club, Quail Unlimited, the Texas Wildlife Association, Ducks Unlimited, and the Old Highway 146 Club. Steve was also a member of the Coronado Club.
Steve was an avid fly fisherman, hunter, and boater. He was a master of the grill and the kitchen, and a wine enthusiast. Steve was a naturalist, always interested in bird watching and conservation. He was an artist who enjoyed painting. Steve was an observer of Texas history and traditions. He was a well read and broad thinker, a fixer of all things and problems, and a lover of people.
He is survived by his wife, Connie Cannon Valerius; sister, Marguerite Valerius Ference and her husband, Bruce Earl Ference; niece, Kathryn Ference; nephew, George Michael Ference; and many, many friends and relatives who loved him dearly.
A memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o'clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 16th of May, at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road in Houston, where the Rev. Katherine F. "Kate" Picot, Associate Rector for Pastoral Care, is to officiate.
Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Bagby Parish Hall.
In lieu of flowers and customary remembrances, the family suggests contributions, in Steve's memory, be directed to the Galveston Bay Foundation, 17330 State Highway 3, Webster, TX, 77598; or to the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, c/o Dr. Fred Bryant, Director, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, 700 University Blvd., MSC 218, Kingsville, TX, 78363.