Steven John Shary

Steven John "Steve" "Sooch" Shary, age 56, died unexpectedly, Friday January 18, 2019 at his Laguna Beach, California home. Steve was born November 23, 1962 in Columbus, Ohio to Claire and John Shary. He graduated from Upper Arlington High School in 1980. He was a talented athlete, being a nationally ranked Junior tennis player from ages 10 to 15. He won various awards and tournaments and was on the Junior Davis Cup Team. Before deciding to concentrate on basketball, he represented UA in both sports, attaining runner-up in the State doubles Tennis Tournament. He played Varsity basketball for 3 years with great teammates and established the school rebounding record which stood for 37 years, finally being broken in 2017. Steve attended Bowling Green State University and The Ohio State University. He subsequently relocated to Miami, Florida establishing himself with a national securities firm. There he met and married Deborah Holzkamp. In the following years their son Ryan was born and together with Debbie's son Charles, their family moved to Pennsylvania, Iowa and eventually settled in Orange County, California, residing in Laguna Niguel. Steve became very involved in restoring antique automobiles. He transferred his creative and mechanical skills to his sons which became a bonding factor for them. Steve was very active in the support of his sons activities, both athletically and academically at Santa Margarita Catholic High School. Charles then graduated from the University of North Dakota and Ryan graduated from The Ohio State University. Throughout his life Steve had a ready smile and quick wit that created a strong friendship. He also had a toughness that kept him committed through difficult times. His strongest characteristic was, as his sister Terri put it, "he played all out until the final referees whistle." Steve is survived by a large and loving family including his parents John and Claire Shary of Hilliard, Ohio, son Ryan Shary of San Diego, step son Charles Taylor of San Francisco, former wife Debbie Holzkamp of Laguna Beach, his five sisters: Rhonda Shary and her husband Lewis Creekmore of Maryland, Laura Shary Guzzo of Ohio, Cara Shary and her husband Tom Griesemer of Ohio, Linda Shary and her husband Jeffery Logan of Maine, Terri Shary and her husband Jack Fleming of California, many aunts, uncles nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends in both Ohio and California. A Celebration of Life Service for Steve will be held at 4pm Saturday February 9, 2019 at the Schoedinger Northwest Chapel, 1740 Zollinger Road in Upper Arlington where the family will receive friends until 6pm following the service. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Columbus 1108 City Park Avenue, Suite 301 Columbus OH 43206 or the IDEA Foundry in his memory.