In the short time I knew Steve I really enjoyed his company in LA and Las Vegas.
Especially at Arizona Charlie's where I got quite lucky. Thanks again for a great weekend.

Paul and Del

Words can't express what it means to myself and so many others to call Steve a friend and mentor.  He was known as a giving man that spared no expense to helping someone out, be it gear or equipment to use or more importantly the knowledge he would share covering weapons, optics, ammo and life in general.  He ensured that when you parted ways after a conversation that you had the tools or knowledge to accomplish any mission.  He lived a great life and surrounded himself with extraordinary people that he cared for and those feelings were reciprocated.  My son and I enjoyed spending numerous hours in Steve's garage or as I would call it "the classroom" learning how to use the mil, lathe and having long conversations about reloading and developing the perfect load for hunting or competitive shooting.  Steve, you have left a very positive lasting impression on my family and we will always have a special place in our hearts for you and your family.

Our family was honored to know a man such as Steve. He impacted each of us in unique ways. He treated us like family. Don met him during his own military career and can tell his own stories with Steve. But for myself Steve is truly one you can call friend. As a family we spent many Thanksgiving weekends with Steve at his cabin in the Piute Mountains. (Tracie was about 5 and Trisha aka Trebeca was 11 on our first trip).  It became a tradition for us and Thanksgiving doesn't go by that we don't talk or think of those special days. Spending time with Steve Listening to his adventures or creating our own with him hiking, four wheel driving and shooting targets alongside the cabin where both our daughters shot their first gun. 

 Steve generously had Tracie at 13 visit for vacation at his home in Missouri.  His influence changed her life in ways she will come to realize for years to come. I remember one of her statements when she returned was about all the “heads” he had mounted on the wall. He encouraged and supported Trisha to pursue her dreams in the world of Art. 

He lived life to the fullest and shared those experiences. We loved the cabin so much he once offered it to us to live and would provide snowmobiles so the girls could ride down the mountain ( in the dark I might add he countered with “they have head lights”) to go to school. I graciously declined. Those of you who have been to the cabin may understand why I declined.  

We are all sadden to lose such a great man. I feel blessed to have known him. We go through life and it's rare to have the opportunity to meet such a person as Steve.  He was a positive influence to many and will be missed.

"This 's Steve!"  That's how Steve answered his phone calls...a strong, optimistic and fun filled voice.  He was there for you and you knew it.  To lose such a man, so early, hurts deeply.  There was so much more for Steve to accomplish in his own inimitable way.  

Lin and I are so sorry at Steve's passing, Delsa.  Just know that he loved you so very much and he was at his happiest since he married you.

I first met Steve in 1977.  I needed a new firearms expert as a retired LAPD expert just wasn't fitting the bill.  Some how (a small miracle?) I was put in contact with Steve and hired him.  From that, a friendship began and runs to this very day.  As an after thought, we won the case...thanks, again, Steve.

Steve moved around alot, but we always managed to stay in contact...even if several years passed by.  When we spoke, it was if we had just talked yesterday and were picking up from that conversation.

In many ways, Steve was a private man.  In reading the guest book I have learned more about Steve.  So much that I have read only confirms what I know of Steve's character...that he was a true and loyal friend, a warrior, a patriot, a man concerned for the welfare of others and a man who deeply loved his wife.

Steve is a "we can do it" kind of a guy.  Nothing was insurmountable for him.  New challenges in fields not exactly in his area of expertise, so what, he would charge in and accomplish his goals.

Steve, thanks for the airplane rides, hunting, shooting, and all the other adventures we shared.  Thanks for introducing me to your friends, men I would not have met without your friendship.  In many ways you can judge a person by the company he keeps and Steve's friends and comrades are among the best!

Steve was a teacher and mentor.  He truly made the world a better place for his being here.

We miss you Steve...

Jeff and Lin Anson

I have been in a bit of disbelief until this moment while reading the wonderful things that people have to say and it touches my heart that most have there very own loving memories with a very memorable and loving man. He shared all that he had with those that he loved and lived a life some only dream of. 
Not only was I able spend Thanksgiving as well as countless other times with Steve at his cabin with my family, when I was 13 years old I stayed with him in his home for a summer. I was coming into my own and trying to figure things out as a young lady and he dared to take me on. It was the first time in my life when I had a choice on which path to take and he showed me that not only was the selfish path unacceptable but also that it was not the person I was meant to be. A kind man who knew how to tell you the harsh truths with understanding and love. He will be truly missed and I will never forget all the big and little things that I have experienced with him in my life. Seeing fireflies for the first and only time, time spent in a very boring simulator later to find out he would be letting me fly a little plane while I was scared and excited at the same time knowing that all the time he had complete faith in my ability, hikes through the mountains knowing if I get lost all I have to do is find the highest point and I will always find may home again, sailing on his boat and learning about teamwork not only with others but with my family. The best part is that these things weren't just things to know, they were life lessons that I am grateful and humbled I was taught by such an amazing man whom will always be remembered with nothing but happiness and love.

Just heard today that my sweet cousin, Steve, had passed away.  Our families spent every summer together. We had so many great times.  When I was nine I lost my dad and Steve sat next to me at the service and held my hand.  He meant a lot to me and I'm sorry we let so much time go without seeing each other.  I love you Steve.

Dear Delsa,
Although I did not have the  opportunity to meet your Steve, what I read from the entries of his longtime friends,  give me a good picture of what a wonderful man he was. 
I love the spontaneity of Charlie Steffey's piece on him. His stories of their adventures  and misadventures with their vivid details give me insights to  a man who has lived life well , that he was a GIVER and that he was  well loved by his friends.  Be consoled too  of what Art Flynn  said  about how Steve loved  you and was so so proud of you. God bless you, Dels.  God is good. He gave you an angel.

Steve, this is your neighbors from Cypress Charlie & Jan Steffey. It was a very sad day on December 24th when I received the call from our friend Craig Waller telling me that you were in the Lakewood Hospital. I rushed to to be at your side to see if I could help and tried to comfort Delsa with stories of our adventures. I related how we lived next door to each other for years and the many sailing, scuba diving and airplane trips that we took together. Trips to the Channel Islands and Sushi in Venture (in exchange for Sea Urchins), the Halibut diving trip on a Halloween after eating orange snowballs and sharing that feast with the sea lions, the plane trip where we practiced stalls above the ocean, the crazy landing in Catalina at a 45 degree angle that scared the Crap out me, the airplane trip to watch the water ski race to Catalina, the airplane trip to Mammoth to ski as we flew aver the Tehachapi mountains and thought the rivets were going to be falling out of the airplane, the diving trip we chose to eat whatever we caught and you taught me how to eat scallops 30 feet under,the dive trip we only caught a Skate and didn't know how to cook the blasted thing, the dive trip when we heard that Princes Diana was killed in an auto accident, the fact that you insisted on listening to those radio shows that were created in the 40's & 50's before going to bed at night, staying on the boat while it was in dry dock for hull painting and cleaning the interior  (you were far from the neatest person in this world),the days we spent at the gun range skeet shooting (at least I was competitive there), I miss the museum next door, the impromptu dinner affairs that resulting in exotic meals including fish eye balls and other parts of things!, and to conclude (not that this anywhere complete) the gratitude list of knowing you, I can only say I loved being with you. I looked back and realized I was safe (well maybe not) but I felt safe being with you and enjoyed life's adventures with you! After talking with Delsa when you were on life support,I know Delsa too felt save with you and tried desperately to keep you with us! Whatever adventures may be available in the after life, I am sure you will find them! Much love and THANKS for your friendship and time we had together!!!
Your friends and ex-neighbors,
Charlie & Jan Steffey

Steve, I will miss you. As much time as we spent together, it was not nearly enough. I am proud to be your friend and honored that you thought of me like a son. I will miss our days in the shop, where "we deal with precision in this shop!". I will miss our talks, our business ventures, training students, learning from you, but mostly your friendship and fatherly advice. Thank you for taking me in to your world. I will never forget you, I will continue to spread your legacy, and complete our projects.  I know you have a special place in everyone's heart. Thank you for the memories, the knowledge, and your friendship. Until we meet again, Goodbye.

Steve was always available to help anyone. Although I met him just a few years ago, he made me feel like he knew me for many years.

Steve Langford is a man I never thought that I would refer to in the past tense.  We were close to the same age – and many of you young guys out there would consider us a couple of “old farts.”  Going back almost 30 years together, we've been brothers-in-arms, international tactical trainers, hunters, business partners, and above all, best of friends.  Losing an “old friend” just does not say enough today, I've lost someone that I've looked up to for 3 decades.

One thing is for sure and certain:  I'm sure we all can agree that in a world of GIVERs and TAKERs, Steve was a “GIVER.”  If he had a personal CREED – it would be “Always GIVE more than you TAKE.”  He REALLY had a HEART of GOLD and ALWAYS cheerful and positive – Steve was a just plain FUN guy to be around.

As a friend to us all here – he exemplified what it is to be a Warrior and TRUE American Patriot.  Steve had a “CALLING” – that is, to impart his Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities to others and more importantly, Steve, as a superior Warrior, wanted to protect this Nation.  And he did!  Steve's network of friends within the Military, Law Enforcement, and the International Shooting Industry is unparalleled. The US SpecOps Community within the NAVY, US MARINES, Army, AIR FORCE, our Police SWAT Teams, and Tactical Units all over the globe, you name it – Steve helped them out.  In meeting his CALLING, he gave a large piece of his life to members of these impressive organizations.  He deserves the highest honor and respect from all that knew him.  

Back in the day, whenever we would see him show up at a Range - just like this one, as soon as you caught a visual on Steve's truck, you would know that he had brought something “NEW” to evaluate, test, or otherwise “SHOOT.”  Marines at Camp Pendleton assigned Steve's call-sign as, “SANTA.”

One time, Steve organized a week-long tactical shotgun course.  He brought over one of his friends to the RANGE as the lead instructor, who was a 1976 Olympic medal-winning skeet shooter and team captain).  Steve's buddy came loaded with a pick-up truck full of brand new HK Super-90's for everyone to fire during the course!  At the end of the week, the shotguns were made available for the team at a HUGE discount.  

On an almost annual basis, Steve would unselfishly have many of us visit his cabin up in the Piute Mountains, which is about a 4-hour drive from here. During the several days and nights of shooting, Steve would have spent many days in advance developing and organizing various tactical scenarios for us to solve.  Newly designed prototype equipment – Optics, Range Finders, Night Vision, Thermal Imaging Devices, etc. were always available for shooters to try out against Steve's challenging courses of fire.  He would make sure to stock-up the cabin with plenty of ammunition, firearms, and most of all – MEAT to burn on the grills.  In my experience, there was never a shortage of any of these important “consumables.”  Everyone would always leave for home with a new positive experience, a full belly, and best of all, as a slightly better shooter than before.

In recent years, Steve spent a lot of effort on many Continents training tactical units in other countries friendly (in some cases, not so friendly) to the US.  Folks – like us here today, in the Middle East and North Africa, Europe, China, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, have seen Steve's smiling face and positive attitude on their training facilities – and they're all better off because of it.  Steve always used to say, “I'll train them everything they need to know, but NOT everything I know!”

REFERENCING the guy in the Dos Equis Commercial:  Steve is the “Most Amazing Man in the World” of the firearms industry. Maybe not “School Book Smart” - he was a self-taught expert within our community.  Steve knew more about the history and background of firearms and ammunition than one could image.  An accomplished Gun Smith, Tactical Trainer, and Rifle Scope Designer – we all probably have something that he invented, worked on, or gave us in our “Go Bags.”  

Steve wasn't just about, “all things that go, BANG!”  Never idle, he experienced life to its fullest possible way.  He packed in more exciting life experiences than most guys could only imagine.  

Some of what made Steve “CLICK” includes:  Bush Pilot and Commercial Pilot – over 3,500 logged Pilot-In-Command hours; Open Ocean SCUBA Diver – hundreds of dives worldwide; Amateur Radio Operator/WW0O – EXTRA Class (highest achievable); Blue-water Sailboat Skipper; World Class Big Game Hunter; Dual-Sport Motorcycle Rider; Mountaineer and Rock Climber; Fly-Fisherman; and general outdoors enthusiast.  All the while, he was courting and loving Delsa, finally convincing her to marry him!  INCREDIBLE!

So, “God, Country, and Family” – Were Steve's constant  and dedicated devotions.  His relationship with his beautiful wife, Delsa, was an example for us all to follow.  He was so proud of her and let us all know about it!  Delsa – Steve loved you VERY much.

Although we'll all miss our old friend – God's higher need to train His designated marksmen with the MIL-DOT rifle scopes was more important, so the Lord called him home and we will always miss him and his smiling face and unique intellect.

I and all my friends are proud to have known this giant of a man, Steve Langford - and to have been his friend.

Steve, I only met you through your adventures in real estate out here in Colorado, but we had more in common then we'll ever know. I will miss the semi annual treks you took here to check on your investments, I wish I would have made more time. Fare the Well, I'm proud to call you my friend

Dear friend you will be missed. I often share stories of our early years hunting in the desert of Southern California back in the 70's. Hunting all day and sleeping in the snow at night. What might sound horrible to some was an adventure to us.

Your presence in this world will be missed, dear friend.  You have left a legacy of kindness, generosity, self sacrifice, and love of your fellow man.  I am honored to have been counted amongst your friends.  I'll always be thankful for that friendship.

My parents met Steve and Jacquie at a neighborhood dinner party when I was in grade school.  This quickly led to more hunting, more shooting, and more flying for everyone.  Steve was always willing to share some of his rich life with us and we were more than happy to soak it up.  He took my grandfather, a former pilot, up for his last flight.  He took me sailing for a week after he moved back to California.

I'd like to share one last story that will live with my family forever.  I think it is especially appropriate for the season.

The morning of my 5th grade Christmas my sisters and I had finished opening presents.  We were expecting the arrival of grandparents soon and my mother had started to make our traditional breakfast.  While cleaning up wrapping paper and boxes the phone rang.  My father answered and said that it was for me.  I was expecting a far away aunt or uncle or maybe over eager grandparent but it was a familiar voice that said "Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas Benjamin, take a look down the street!".  I rushed to the window and far off in the distance was a crouched man in a flight jacket, goggles, and a Santa hat.  This crouched man was moving steadily toward the house on the present I had begged for every year for as long as I could remember, a go-kart.  My parents, being unable to hide such an amazing gift at home had stowed it at the Langford's and Steve was the extra special Christmas Day deliverer.  I still have the go-kart, which someday will go to my children.  I had always joked with Steve that he would have to move back to Kansas City when my kids are of age for their delivery.

OBITUARY

Steven Cliff Langford

June 3, 1949 – December 25, 2013

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