Steve Magarian

1942 - 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we are mourning the passing of our cherished husband, father, and grandfather, Steve Magarian. He left his devastated family to join our Father in heaven in the early morning hours of September 22, 2025.

His remarkable life was defined by his tireless devotion to his faith, family, career, and community. His impact and legacy is evidenced by the outpouring of love and support we have received from those whose lives he touched.

Steve was born and raised in Fresno, California and attended local schools, graduating from Roosevelt High School. He ultimately earned his bachelor's degree, followed by a master's degree with distinction, from California State University, Fresno.

After a motor vehicle accident on the way home from his induction physical derailed his plans to become a pilot in the United States Air Force, he returned home to continue in the grocery business he learned from his father. He became a store manager in his mid 20's.

While a grocery store manager, he became a reserve deputy with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office. He fell in love with the work and became a full-time deputy sheriff in 1968. He rose quickly through the ranks to become Fresno County's 23rd elected Sheriff in 1987. The highlight of his Sheriff's Office career was meeting his wife who also worked there.

After three terms in office, he retired in 1999 and became a professor at California State University, Fresno. He taught part-time for 20 years instilling ethics and professionalism into the next generation of law enforcement and community leaders. While teaching, he also loved working with the people of the Fresno County District Attorney's office where he worked part-time as Chief of Investigations.

During the last three years he dedicated his time as a Trustee of the Fresno Sheriff's Memorial Foundation, raising funds to build a Memorial to honor the fallen of the Fresno County Sheriff's Office, a cause close to his heart. He was also proud to return to the Valley Crime Stoppers board working alongside his daughter, Erica.

Steve was selfless when it came to the needs of his family. He loved doing projects for all of us. He often said, "put it on my workbench, and I'll take care of it." He loved spending time at the coast and was most relaxed there. He spent many hours keeping his yard pristine and his pool sparkling.

Steve was a loyal member of CrossCity Christian Church for nearly three decades where he worshiped with his entire family. Many wonderful memories and friends have been made there.

Our family would like to acknowledge the care provided by the late Dr. Chris Julian, Dr. Michael Moffett, Dr. William Silveira, their teams, and all the doctors and nurses who lovingly cared for him during his battle with cancer at Clovis Community Hospital.

Steve is survived by his true love, soul mate, and devoted wife, Joanne; daughters Erica Magarian, Gina (Brian) Blodgett; and grandsons Brandon and Brayden. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dan and Alice, and his sister Delores Merlo.

A celebration of his life will be held October 6, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at CrossCity Christian Church, 2777 E. Nees, Fresno.

To honor of Steve's memory donations may be made to:

Fresno Sheriff's Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 1975 Clovis, CA 93613; www.fresnosheriffmemorial.org

Clovis Community Hospital Cancer Institute, Community Health System, Office of Philanthropy, 1530 E. Shaw Avenue, Suite 106, Fresno, CA 93710; www.communitymedical.org/donate

CrossCity Christian Church, 2777 E. Nees Ave, Fresno, CA 93720; https://mycrosscity.com/give/