Steven J. Barnes 1959-2002

BARNES, NAKASAKO, REULEIN

Posted By: Emily Bennett (email)
Date: 3/30/2003 at 09:48:06

Los Angeles Times, January 4, 2003
Barnes, Steven J.
Passed away at home on December 29, 2002 from complications due to his diabetes. He was to turn 44 on January 1st, 2003
Born to Dr. David and Myrna Barnes in Iowa City, Iowa in 1959, he grew up in Corona Del Mar, CA where he spent most of his life. He attended Mariners Elementary, Lincoln Jr. High, and Corona Del Mar High School.Although he played all sports very well, he will be most remembered for his excellence in track and field at Corona Del Mar High School. Gifted with both size and grace, he ran the more demanding of events – the 880 for the Coach Tomlin championship teams of the mid – 70’s.
After a couple of years of college and not particularly fond of school, he embarked on a life long journey of entrepreneurship that gave him both extreme pleasures and disappointments. Never to be easily discouraged, he would work relentlessly to come up with a new idea or product to sell to the masses. He often traveled throughout the world in search of new opportunities. He was working on such a product up to the day he died.
In Newport Beach, CA he married Jill Nakasako in 1993. Together they formed the perfect team (17 years) complementing each other in the different aspects of the business world. Never having children, Steve loved and adored his dogs. It wouldn’t be unusual for him to take a nice, warm, mid-day swim with his beloved dog, Jessie, a Queensland Healer.
He loved both the beach and ocean very much, often traveling to Hawaii. Fishing also gave him great pleasure, but he wasn’t able to do so as much as he would have liked in the last few years.
He will be remembered as an independent, courageous, charismatic rebelrouser that never did anything like anyone else.
He is survived by his loving wife Jill, his parents, David and Myrna, his little brother Mike and his wife Melissa, his sister Susan, father and mother-in-law Tuts and Shirley Nakasaki, brother and sister-in-law, John and Elaine Reulein, and four nieces and one nephew. He will certainly be missed by all.
Services will be held this Saturday, Jan. 4that1:00 PM with visitation between10-1:00 PM at White & Day Colonial Mortuary, Redondo Beach, CA (310) 379-2446. (949) 650-2676
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Humane Society of the U.S. 2100 L St., N.W., Washington, D.C.20037, Attn: Kindred Spirits 1-800-808-7858.