Steven Oel Spelman, Jr.
October 25, 1960 - August 13, 2011
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Steven Oel Spelman, Jr.
October 25, 1960 - August 13, 2011
Obituary
Steven Oel Spelman, Jr., 50, of Southern California, died August 13, 2011, at his Coto de Caza home.
Steven was born October 25, 1960, in Pasadena, California, to Steven Sr. and Carol. He attended Richard Henry Dana Elementary School, Marco Forster Middle School and Dana Hills High School. He continued his education at University of California Santa Barbara, where he earned his BA in Economics and was granted a fellowship at University of Southern California, where he earned his MBA. Steven competed as an Academic Decathlon student in high school and later supported the Orange County Academic Decathlon as an advisor to the students and helped to run the competitions.
He enjoyed baseball, surfing and volleyball growing up and continued surfing and volleyball for many years. He loved golfing with friends and fly fishing in Idaho and Colorado.
Steven is survived by his wife, Michelle; sons, Andrew and Michael; daughter, Hailey; stepchildren, Thomas and Sarah Trauger; and mother, Carol Rush. He was predeceased by his father, Steven Oel Spelman, Sr. He was the oldest of four and is survived by Janet, Laura and Mark.
He had an accomplished business career, joining Arthur Andersen as a CPA, followed by roles as Chief Financial Officer for Capital Pacific Holdings and President of Banning Lewis Ranch. He and Michelle purchased their own winery and produced award-winning Joliet Vineyards Zinfandel.
Steven was generous with his money and a strong supporter to his family. He was in the middle of putting four of five children through college, with his youngest starting next year. He was looking forward to grandchildren and was cherished by his young nieces, Brianna and Samantha. His older nieces, Ashlee and Kathrin, have fond memories of their uncle Steve and loved him dearly.
Services will be held at 2pm on September 3rd at Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club www.clubcorp.com/CotodeCaza and we welcome friends, family and colleagues. A small family ceremony will be held earlier that day to spread his ashes at sea.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Steven’s memory to the Orange County Academic Decathlon Association.
OCAD Association
PO Box 9050
Costa Mesa, CA 92628
Attn: Kristin Rigby
or online at http://academicevents.ocde.us/decathlon.htm
59 responses to Steven Oel Spelman, Jr.
Laura Mitchell Reyburn says:
August 23, 2011
I am so very sorry for your loss.I was shocked to hear this news. I feel so bad for you and your family.
I have not seen Steve in many years and I wish I would have known your family lived in Coto as my husband and I do as well.
To know Steve was to love this man. He had such a big heart and he loved his family.
He hired me in 2002 to be the Assistant Controller for CPH.I was living in Dallas and my engagement had fallen apart and I wanted to move back to Orange County.That is were I had lived before my engagement Matt and Steve interviewed me over the phone and then I flew in to meet with them. I had no home building experiense but both Steve and Matt Kerns knew I could handle the job.
I was going through a difficult time and both Matt Kern and Steve made me feel welcome in my new positon.
Steve was a great person to work for. He was so smart and he incouraged and motivated you to put your best work forward. He had a way about making you smile even though you knew the presure was coming down on him from Heidi.
Steve was not only a really smart man but a fun guy who enjoyed life. At the Christmas parties or other work events everyone always liked hanging out around him because it was garantied you would laugh and have a really nice time.
I am very sorry for you and your families loss as Steve was everything but ordinary and will be missed by all who’s lives he touched.
Love Laura and Dean Reyburn
Lawrence Feiwell says:
August 23, 2011
I’ve known Steve for 32 years. He was a man of infinite potential.I’m sad the he left us so early.
David Gene White says:
August 24, 2011
Michelle, my prayers are with you.
Gralyn Cowfer says:
August 24, 2011
Aloha Michelle,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Jacqui Alenda says:
August 24, 2011
You have my most heartfelt condolences for the loss of Steve. He was a dear man who listened when you needed someone to hear you. He loved the Academic Decathlon and I was lucky to have helped him as a judge a few times, he was always so grateful for the help. Bless you Steve you will be missed.