Kevin Michael William Golden

Kevin Michael William Golden, 23 years old, passed away on Friday, January 6, 2017, after a fall while hiking in Yosemite National Park, CA. Kevin was born on January 27, 1993, in Fresno, CA, to John and Maureen (O’Neil) Golden.

Kevin was Baptized June 13, 1993, by Monsignor Laserian Byrne at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Fresno, sponsored by his Godparents, Aunt Patricia McMurry, and her husband Thomas (with Uncle Michael Golden standing in). He received the Sacraments of Reconciliation on February 22, 2001, and First Holy Communion on April 28, 2001, at St. Anthony’s with Monsignor John Harguindeguy under the guidance and tutelage of his second grade teacher, Mrs. Carmalinda Gennock. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation from Most Reverend Bishop John T. Steinbock on January 23, 2010, at St. Anthony’s, sponsored by Mr. David Pomaville, representing his many spiritual advisors. After high school, Kevin became a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 6092.

Kevin attended St. Anthony of Padua Elementary School, Fresno, where he first met one of his longest-standing and closest friends, Philip Dodd in Kindergarten. He played sports with passion and exuberance, and was an altar server at Mass. He received numerous academic, religious, and citizenship awards during his years at St. Anthony’s. He was very active in the church and school community. He was a member of Cub Scout Pack 223 at St. Anthony’s from Tiger Cubs through Webelos, earning the highest rank of Arrow of Light with his Den Leader, Mary Najarian and Cubmasters John Golden and David Pomaville. In January 2004, he bridged over to Boy Scout Troop 35 with Scoutmaster Pat Meyers, excelling in all aspects of scout leadership, scout-craft, and especially in outdoor and wilderness activities. As a member of the “three caballeros” of Troop 35 with Ian Manfredo and Jared Linney, Kevin enjoyed his scouting journey. He completed BSA National Youth Leadership Training in the Monterey Bay Area Council and returned there as an instructor. He earned scouting’s highest rank of Eagle Scout on February 15, 2011, with Scoutmaster Jim Lyman in Troop 35 in Fresno. He is a Life Member of the National Eagle Scout Association and a Brotherhood Member of Scouting’s National Honor Society, the Order of the Arrow, and earned the rank of Sachem in the Tribe of Chawanakee through years of dedicated service at scout camp. There were many dedicated adult leaders and mentors along his scouting journey; you are appreciated, and your efforts on his behalf bore much fruit.

Kevin graduated from University High School with the Class of 2011. At UHS, Kevin was Freshman Class Representative, Sophomore Class President, Senior Class President, Peer Mentor, a member of the UHS Varsity Soccer Team, and a Junior Classical League Member. He was a Life Member of the California Scholarship Federation. He sang in the chamber choir, played trombone in the school’s musical groups, as well as the Youth Orchestras of Fresno. He passionately played soccer and excelled at similar physical activities. He was an Honorary Life Member of the Anna Rangers! His dedication to physical fitness and further enjoyment of related activities was bolstered and more firmly cemented into his life through the mentorship of his teacher and coach, Mr. Jacques Hagen. He related well to Mr. Hagen’s character and personality, and admired his skills and abilities, which inspired Kevin to do more, work harder, and excel in all aspects of his life. Kevin’s love of the sciences instilled by his 6th grade teachers, was bolstered significantly by his physics teacher, Dr. David Gettman while at UHS. Those who enjoyed (or not) an in-depth conversation regarding matters of physics, bioscience, or the universe, can thank Dr. Gettman for Kevin’s intellectual tête–à–tête. Many times, Kevin shared interesting facts, experiments, and theories introduced to him through this mentor.

Kevin attended CSU Long Beach as a Kinesiology major and soon switched to Biology. He had an affinity for the sciences and medicine and visited the Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office with Ben Vanderschelden and Rachel Stiner, while his father, John, was the unit commander to explore the fields of forensic pathology with Chief Forensic Pathologist Venue Gopal, M.D. and their dedicated staff professionals. Ben and his family were inspirational in Kevin’s development and appreciation of the medical sciences. We are indebted to Dr. Philippe Vanderschelden, his wife Helene (Kevin’s other “mom”), and especially Ben, for their love and support of Kevin through the years. He worked as a peer mentor and a Student Instructor for Biostatistics at CSU Long Beach. He also tutored students in math and physics outside of school. Kevin was a graduating senior at CSU Long Beach. He will be awarded a Bachelor of Science in Biology, posthumously.

In Long Beach, Kevin developed close relationships with many people connected to the community in which he lived and the university. Besides surfing, he further develop his hiking and camping skills. He enjoyed cooking and could always be counted on to cook with a dutch oven while in scouts; his monkey bread was a signature dish! But he loved his roommate, Matt Burkett’s barbecue, and began experimenting with different cooking styles and ingredients. He was particularly fond of creating healthy, wholesome dishes to share. Thursday dinners and weekend barbecues with his roommates, Matt and Chadd, and neighbors Elizabeth Anne Crest (his Long Beach “mom”), and Ralph Lopez were reportedly epic events. Kevin’s “big, contagious” and “one of a kind laugh” was said to “fill the houses and linger long after” announcing his presence and reverberating though those around him!

Kevin aspired to be a teacher, sharing his love of math and science which was instilled in him through the exuberant example of his 6th grade teachers, Mrs. Michelle Garrett and most notably Mrs. Erin Silverio; “Science is AWESOME!” He has a noted legacy of mentoring, coaching, and teaching others from a young age; at home, school, and scouting. He loved being the “Big” brother to all his friends’ siblings. He aimed to be more than competent at the skills and abilities that interested him, and then sharing his knowledge and passion with others. Kevin enjoyed casual, light interactions and funny moments with others, but just as easily could engage in very deep conversations and debates on a variety of topics; always seeking to learn and experience the ideas others found important to them. His sense of quick wit and humor, which can be traced back through his dad, to his grandmother, Betty, to his great-grandmother, Mammy, was both legendary and contagious.

He obtained his motorcycle license and enjoyed riding with his dad and brother, Andrew. An accomplished Eagle Scout, Kevin lived the Outdoor Code and was cognizant of environmental concerns and appreciative of the great outdoors (I’m not sure we will ever be able to completely remove the tree in our front yard as planned because Kevin seriously lamented the impact to the bees when he heard of our intentions!). He went camping or hiking at every opportunity and really enjoyed introducing people to the joy and majesty of the outdoor experience. Kevin’s passion truly was camping and hiking and sharing that with his girlfriend, Leah Russell, family, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his great-grandmother, Claire “Mammy” Catherine Steele (Davidson); who left this world on February 9, 1993, about 2 weeks after Kevin was born (no doubt Mammy was satisfied the world was then in good hands with Kevin!); by his grandparents Robert E. and Jean Elizabeth “Betty” (Steele) Golden, and Charles “Charlie” O’Neil.

Kevin is survived by his parents, brothers, Christopher Golden and his wife Alexandra (Gilroy), Andrew Golden, his grandmother, Kathleen O’Neil, all of Fresno. Aunt Mary Ann Paloutzian, her husband Thomas, and children of Kingsburg, CA; Aunt Susan Sturges, her husband Don, and children of La Quinta, CA; Uncle William Golden, his wife Shirley, and children of Fresno; Aunt Cathy Johnson, her husband Jerry, and children of Sand Point, Idaho; Aunt Margaret Golden, and children of Alameda, CA; His Godparents: Aunt Patricia McMurry, her husband Thomas, and children of West Lake Village, CA; Aunt Janet Stone, and children of La Quinta, CA; Uncle Michael Golden, and children of Fresno; Uncle Michael O’Neil, his wife Evelyn, and children, of Fresno; Uncle Dennis O’Neil, and children of Fresno; Aunt Alice McCue, her husband Robert, of Glen Rock, NJ, and his Uncle Dan O’Neil, his wife Rhonda, and children of Fresno. Kevin is survived by dozens of cousins, aunts and uncles, close friends, and teachers.

Despite his relatively short life, Kevin lived more than many, and enjoyed adventure, success in school, and remarkable times with family and dear friends. Notably, Kevin found love; he is survived by his soul-mate, Leah Russell of Long Beach, her parents James and Merry Russell of Lake Elsinore, CA, and Leah’s sister, Jessica Tanoue, and her husband, Matthew of Glendora, CA.

Kevin touched the lives of so many; you know who you are! He spoke fondly of so many people he admired, and cared for. Your sentiments and rich anecdotes about Kevin have been comforting beyond words. We wish it was possible to list everyone by name, but know that those special people, named and unnamed, were very important to Kevin and made him the young man we all loved. To you all: thank you most sincerely and may your contributions, love, and support, be returned to you many times over.

A Rosary will be offered at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 25th at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 5770 N Maroa Avenue, Fresno, 93704. A Memorial Mass and celebration of Kevin’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 26th at the church. There will be a luncheon reception immediately following the church services at OLPH Norte Dame Banquet Hall, 333 Eighth St, Clovis, CA 93612.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made online to:

College of Natural Science and Mathematics in Kevin’s name at

https://giveto.csulb.edu/NAT01

or

Checks can be made payable to:

CSULB 49er Foundation

6300 State University Drive, Suite 332

Long Beach, CA 90815

Please include the following in the memo section of the check:

CNSM Kevin Golden Memorial