Larry Daniel Eugene Kaufman

Daniel was born "Larry Daniel Eugene Kaufman" in Los Angeles, in 1973. His mother, a skid row alcoholic, named him Daniel after her favorite Elton John song, and Eugene after her father. She said she squeezed in his father's name, Larry, at the last minute. Daniel was born extremely premature, weighing-in at less than two pounds; he was not expected to survive. Somehow he did survive, but in the worst possible conditions, his home being a space “between a dumpster and a wall” in Orange County. When his mother was eventually arrested, and discovered to have a child with her, Daniel was removed from her custody and placed with his Aunt and Uncle who adopted him, and he became their son. He joined their other boy Timothy, as an instant big brother. Daniel was nine years old.

His life changed dramatically in his new environment. His parents lived in a kid's paradise- the eleven acre Heritage Square Museum in Los Angeles. Daniel quickly adapted to a more structured life, and despite having never before attended school, he caught up after only a year of special tutoring. His friendly and outgoing personality quickly gained him many friends.

In 1985, the family moved to Pasadena, where Daniel was involved with the local church youth group, and got his first job at the McDonald's around the corner. In 1990 the family moved once again, this time to a rural area near Rialto, to escape the crowded urban environment. He attended and graduated from Eisenhower High School, with an interest in horticulture. He started a home garden that he tended until today. He particularly liked strange-looking plants that belonged in a Dr. Seuss book.

Daniel found a job at the Walden’s bookstore in the Inland Center Mall. Being an avid reader, and an expert on pop culture, it wasn’t long before he was the one other employees sent people to, when they asked for a book on a particular subject. Any subject.

In 2001, Daniel joined the fine people who bring us the Renaissance Faire each year. Having been immersed in his new family’s love of history, he had acquired a unique perspective of the past. He fit into this group perfectly. He was admitted to the Guild of Saint Cuthbert, where he formed the "Peasant Militia" who were “armed with spoons and carrots and pledged to right all the wrongs of the world.”

When Border’s bought Waldenbooks, and closed the store, he transferred to a Border’s, and since he was also a coffee gourmet, they asked him to work in their new coffee bar. It was there that he learned of the work being done at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, and wanted to be a part of it. His job at the IRC was to take a small number of adult Special Needs clients and teach them how to work at a coffee bar. They run a small coffee house in the center, that is used as a learn-by-doing classroom. When they were ready, his students would graduate and be placed in a neighborhood coffee house where they could become productive members of society.

On Wednesday, he was at his job in the IRC when he was murdered by terrorists. His students escaped to safety, Daniel did not.

Yesterday, on December 10, 2015, at one o’clock, Larry Daniel Eugene Kaufman was laid to rest in a private ceremony at the Turner & Stevens Live Oak Cemetery in Monrovia, California. He is now next to his grandparents Eugene and Marie Henderson, and within sight of his mother Linda Kaufman Rhea, and his great grandfather William V. Henderson. When the time comes, we too will lay by his side.

Mark & Julie Sandefur

In lieu of fresh flowers, those who would like, please send live plants, suitable for the San Bernardino climate. These will be added to the garden that Daniel so lovingly tended. They should be sent to:

Daniel Kaufman

C/o Pathways

287 W orange show lane

San Bernardino, CA 92408.