Brian David Scharkey

Brian David Scharkey, age 61, died of natural causes.
An adored husband and beloved father, the Yorba Linda resident leaves behind a sweeping legacy of integrity in countless aspects of his full and active life. He was a dedicated finance and technology leader who also spent his final years passionately competing in Ironman triathlons across the globe. His thoughtful intentionality and generosity will be remembered by those who knew him.
Brian was born in Glendale to Ralph and Mary Scharkey. He attended and played baseball at Fullerton College before transferring to Pepperdine University, where he continued his education and athletic career. An outfielder and southpaw, he graduated with an accounting degree while also spending one minor league season with the Salt Lake City Trappers in 1985. The next year, he married his high school sweetheart, Cindy, with whom he shared four decades of deep friendship and abiding love.
Brian went on to become a certified public accountant, beginning his finance career at Arthur Andersen as well as Insight for Living. His early professional years were marked by around-the-clock resolve as he earned his master's in computer science at California State University, Fullerton, while also taking on a new role as a dad. He could often be found on the living room floor at night, surrounded by schoolwork and his girls.
Over the next three decades, Brian served as a senior financial executive across Southern California. He spent 17 years at Evangelical Christian Credit Union before contributing his expertise to Olive Crest. For the last nine years, Brian was part of RDAbbott as chief financial officer and president shared services.
A sports enthusiast, Brian loved Muhammad Ali, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Cleveland Browns, and he championed women's athletics for his daughters and beyond. He traveled the country to attend and photograph his girls' softball, lacrosse and soccer games, while equally delighting in their musical talents and other endeavors.
His athletic prowess took on new meaning in recent years within the Ironman racing community, where he found renewed joy and purpose. In addition to competing in multiple 70.3 World Championships, Brian earned three all-world honors as an Ironman triathlete.
An avid outdoorsman and man of faith, Brian loved to fly fish in rivers across the West - not just for the sport but also for the spiritual connection to natural beauty. He was thrilled to become a part-time resident of Central Oregon, where he reveled in his bike rides up the McKenzie Pass.
Brian is survived by the love of his life, Cindy, and their three daughters: Kristin and her partner Jonathan, Alison and his son-in-law Zack, and Tori and her partner Simon.
A memorial to celebrate Brian's life will be announced at a later date.