Stephen Mark Avery passed away on September 10, 2026, in his home in West Covina, California. He was an insulin-dependent diabetic and he died from complications of his diabetes.

He was born on November 16, 1985, in Anaheim, California, the first son of Stephen and Leslie Avery of Claremont, California.

Stephen was born cheerful. And throughout the ups and downs of his forty years on this earth, he never lost his optimism, curiosity or willingness to see the humorous side in any situation.

Gifted from an early age, Stephen was reading by the time he was three and developed a fascination with numbers and math about the same time. Toddler Stephen would ask a young lady for her number and Stephen’s mom would have to quickly explain that the child wasn’t asking for her phone number; he just liked numbers. Or he’d count backwards from a hundred by seventeens. And he liked to calculate the change due at checkout stands before the cash register figured it out. There were many pauses and puzzled expressions as the checker counted out the same amount of money that they’d heard from a little boy moments before.

There were many times when toddler Stephen would read something aloud, and people around would snap their heads towards him and ask his mother, “How old is he?” in disbelief. Fun stuff.

A few years later, he started memorizing street maps and the periodic table of chemical elements. He had his passions.

School agreed with Stephen, and overall, he excelled in the Claremont, California school system.

After graduation, Stephen attended the University of California in Riverside. Initially, he majored in Chemical Engineering, seemingly a natural for his mathematical and chemical bent. However, he found his true calling in the College of Business and graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Business with an emphasis in Marketing.

When he began working for Bank of America, he found his home and began his career. He truly enjoyed the work he did and above all else, enjoyed the people with which he worked. Nothing made him prouder than referring to himself as a bank officer. When asked how he was doing, he’d immediately launch into wonderful work stories of friends he had made and clients that made him smile.

He had his hobbies – he was an insatiable reader and history buff. After receiving history books as gifts, he’d grow quiet as he buried himself in the reading, tuning out all else. He also enjoyed Dungeons and Dragons for many years, always advocating the ‘old school’ in-person version where a gathering of friends and players made for a fun session. As a Dungeon Master, he especially liked using his imagination to create different scenarios. He played his fair share of games online - he was always playing strategy and puzzle games on Steam. And he loved to debate. About just about anything.

Stephen was interesting in that he saw most things in black and white. There was very little grey in his life. Matters of right or wrong were very clear to him – it would be difficult to find a more ethical or moral person. It was beautiful in its simplicity. The world could learn a thing or two from him.

He was a wonderfully thoughtful and supportive friend, brother, son, nephew and grandson. He absolutely put those he loved first and could be counted on whenever anyone needed him. That was just his way.

He is survived by his brother, Chris, his parents, Steve and Leslie, an uncle, Larry, an aunt, Amy and a grandmother, Marge.

Those he left behind truly mourn his passing. He was the gentlest of souls with a heart of gold. Bright, beautiful and a joy. He touched many lives with his warmth and love, and we are blessed to have had him for the too-short time that we did.

As a gift to those he loved, and who loved him and knew him well, please post a memory of him – a story to share, an amusing anecdote or just some good thoughts. They will be much cherished.

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