Stephen B. Colwell

It is with heavy hearts that we bid farewell to a remarkable individual, Stephen "BC" Colwell, who passed away at the age of 80. Son of H. Bundy Colwell and Anne J. Colwell, Stephen was born in Los Angeles along with his younger sister Pennelope Anne. The family settled in La Canada, CA. As a teenager, Steve co-founded the Throttle Genies car club with high school friends, racing his '59 Chevy Impala on tracks around Los Angeles. Steve graduated from Flintridge Preparatory School and the University of Southern California, where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and played starting forward for the university's 1967 national championship Rugby team. During college, Steve worked as a part-time film extra, appearing in notable television programs like Star Trek & Hogan's Heroes. After graduation from USC, Steve joined the US Marine Corps, completing Officer Candidate School and six months of the Basic School at Quantico, Virginia. Soon thereafter, during the height of the Vietnam War, Steve was transferred to Vietnam and, as 2nd Lieutenant, took command of the 2nd Platoon, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.

His service was not without sacrifice; On Dec 16, 1967 Steve was gravely wounded during combat, was hospitalized in Okinawa Japan for several months, then returned to duty in June 1968 at Camp Pendleton, San Diego. For his service, Steve was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Commendation, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.

Upon an honorable discharge in 1970, Steve attended Law School at Southwestern University, then settled in Mammoth Lakes California in 1970 along with father Bundy Colwell. They opened the StephenDad Company, a real estate development company that eventually became the Stephen B. Colwell Company. In partnership with Harshbarger Construction, the company built several projects throughout Mammoth including Meadowridge, Woodlands, and Winterset condominium complexes, the "Blue Roof" apartments, Village Center (Adjacent the outlets), Mammoth Gateway, & Minaret Village. Steve was owner/operator of the Village Inn, previously Pea Soup Andersons, and affectionately called the "V.I.", then later purchased The Tavern, two favorite local "watering holes". Steve was an original investor in Giovanni's Pizzeria, which continues to operate today. In 1979, Steve married Valerie Colwell and raised son Christopher B. Colwell and daughter Rachel A. Colwell. After 17 years Steve's father could no longer live at altitude, the real estate market turned, and the family moved to Carlsbad, CA in 1988.

Steve went on to work for Diversified Funding Group, an Irvine based mortgage banking firm, then became director for two foundations, the Joseph Family Foundation, and later the Wilcox Foundation which provided scholarships to underprivileged high school students in San Diego County. Steve's volunteer work was extensive and diverse, reflecting his passion for helping others. He dedicated his time to the Muscular Dystrophy Association of San Diego, Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra, and East Meets West Foundation, returning to Vietnam several times, supporting water construction projects in remote villages. Working with San Diego Marine Corps leadership, Steve participated in combat stress support groups for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, was active in Alcoholics Anonymous through the Wounded Warrior Program, coached Pop Warner football for seven years and completed nine marathons, including LA and Boston.

Steve's proudest contribution to the veteran community was his role as Project Manager for the Vietnam War Memorial at Camp Pendleton, a multi-year project leading to a permanent monument with the names of 2706 Marines killed in Vietnam etched in granite stone. It is the largest such monument on the West Coast. His commitment to honoring the fallen and supporting veteran's causes extended to his position on the USC Board of Counselors for Veterans.

As a seasoned pilot, Steve's adventurous spirit led him to the dirt landing strips of Baja, the narrow canyons of Idaho, and the rainforests of Central America. Steve was an avid reader, fisherman, outdoorsman, and diver - enjoying most the beauty and solace of the Eastern Sierra Nevada while also traveling to Africa, Europe, and Asia. Above all, Steve will be remembered as a loving husband and father, devoted grandfather, loyal friend, inspirational coach, and mentor who was kind and generous to everyone he met, and always with an infectious sense of humor. His impact will forever resonate in the lives he touched and the communities he uplifted.

Steve is survived by his devoted wife of 43 years, Valerie Colwell, daughter Rachel Anne Colwell (1983), son Christopher Bundy Colwell (1984), son Stephen Colwell II (1969) born from 1st wife Galen M. Colwell. Grandchildren Chasen Colwell ('2006), Hudson Colwell (2008), Sydney Shinoda (2017), Riley Shinoda (2019), & beloved Golden Retriever Zoey. Steve's 2nd son Tyler Colwell passed away in (1971-2012). Steve was laid to rest with military honors at Miramar National Cemetery, San Diego. Contact: Valerie Colwell vlcolwell@gmail.com or Stephen Colwell II - steve@clarifyco.com.