Stephen Craig Ritz

Steve was born on March 18, 1948, in Redlands, California. He grew up in Banning, California, with his parents Margaret & Bob Ritz and his older brother Bob Jr. Steve spent his younger years as a paper boy and did so well at it that when he was 12, he won a contest through their local paper, The Enterprise, and won a 10-day trip to London, England. When he was in 8th grade, he and his dad bought a 1930 Ford Victoria and spent all his high school years restoring it, along with a British Racing Green paint job. Steve could be seen cruising mostly Ramsey, Eight Street and San Gorgonio with his friends. He estimated that with the new engine, his car would go between 75 and 80 miles per hour. Steve and his dad were very close until his dad passed away from cancer when Steve was 18 years old. He spent some of his high school years volunteering for the Banning Fire Department and playing football, he was short but very tough. Steve's mom, Margaret helped put him through college, first at San Jacinto Junior College, then Rio Hondo and finally Cal State Fullerton where he graduated with a degree in Marketing. Steve had also joined the Navy Reserves during this time and spent a lot of weekends at sea in San Diego.

Cal State is where he met his wife, Dawn. They married on January 23, 1971, and were married for 54 years. When they got married, Dawn's mom and dad quickly talked them into buying their first house in Yorba Linda, with the help of Dawn's grandparents. They were loaned the down payment of $2,500 and they had to pay every cent back at $25 a month plus interest.

Steve started working with Dawn's dad at Tile Trends in sales but was quickly snatched up by a home building company and trained as a purchasing agent. Steve moved up the ladder quickly, working for several companies until he reached the position of Vice President of Construction. Steve and Dawn were very fortunate to pick out their second home and the lot in Yorba Linda when Steve worked for Broadmoor Homes.

In May of 1973, their son Bryan was born and in July of 1975, their daughter Stacy was born. Family was everything to Steve and Dawn. They spent many hours on the soccer field with both children and many hours on the tennis court watching Bryan play tennis on his high school team. Steve even coached Stacy's soccer team for several years.
Steve and Dawn bought their first boat in their first few years of marriage and enjoyed houseboating on Lake Shasta and Lake Powell. They eventually bought their mobile home in Parker, Arizona where they spent hours boating, water skiing, riding quads and speeding along the desert in their sand rails. Steve especially loved water skiing. He also spent many hours in the water helping teach Bryan and Stacy's friends how to water ski while Dawn drove the boat.

Another of Steve's great loves was fishing of any kind. Dawn's dad, Forrest, would take Steve, his brother Bob, Dawn's brother Craig, and Bryan to Cabo San Lucas for many deep-sea fishing trips. Steve and Dawn also took Bryan and Stacy one time to Cabo for a vacation and deep-sea fishing. They always fished for Mahi Mahi, Tuna, Sail Fish, and Marlin. They kept the fish they could take home and eat but released the ones they couldn't eat. Steve was fortunate to go on a trip of a lifetime to Alaska, where they stayed in a lodge in the middle of nowhere and were flown by sea planes every day to a different spot to Salmon fish. Steve and Bryan also took a separate trip to Alaska to Salmon fish. Steve and his good friend, Larry Chastain, would go to La Paz Mexico a couple times a year to fish and bring home frozen bags of Dorado, Mahi Mahi, and Tuna to share with everyone.

Traveling was a big part of Steve and Dawn's life. They enjoyed two trips to Italy, Greece, and Grenada in the Caribbean with their friends, the Myers. Trips to Alaska, Cook Islands, and a paddlewheel boat cruise down the Mississippi River with their friends, the Chastains. One of their favorite trips was the River Boat cruise on the Danube from Prague to Budapest. Steve and Dawn spent many years going to Hawaii where Dawn's parents had bought a condo in Kona, Hawaii. Now the 4th generation is enjoying the condo.

One of the greatest joys in Steve's life were his 3 granddaughters Hayley, Kyley, and Lindsey along with his great granddaughter, Brandi. Brandi and Steve had a very special bond. Steve lived for her special kisses and hugs whenever she saw him. Brandi will miss him so much. The grandkids always loved it when they asked Steve what his favorite color was, and he'd say Sky Blue Pink Pea Green.

Steve was unfortunate to get lung cancer 2 years ago. He fought hard to stay around as long as he could. He lost his battle on February 5th, 2025. He enjoyed life to the fullest. He worked hard for his family, to provide them a wonderful life together. He was very kind and loving, definitely a family man. He will be missed by all.

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