Stephen Karl Schwarz

Stephen Karl Schwarz, 45, of Metairie, Louisiana, passed away peacefully at East Jefferson General Hospital on July 27, 2025, surrounded by family and uplifted by the prayers of countless loved ones and friends who were present in spirit.

Stephen was born to Georgeanne and Keith Schwarz, Sr. on February 10, 1980, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He attended elementary school at St. Edward the Confessor and graduated cum laude from the accelerated program at Jesuit High School in 1998. He went on to study sociology at Louisiana State University, concentrating in criminology. After earning his degree, he lived in Baton Rouge before returning to his hometown of Metairie. He was formerly married to the late Roxann Gonsoulin.

Stephen's passion was, as one friend put it, "finding diamonds in the rough." He loved treasure hunting at Goodwill and other thrift stores around the New Orleans area and had a remarkable talent for spotting extraordinary finds and recognizing potential in items others might have tossed aside. His discoveries ranged from vinyl records, toys, and tchotchkes to T-shirts, electronics, jewelry, and everything else in between. He made fast friends and was well respected within the local thrifting community by fellow enthusiasts who shared his love of the hunt. Alas, while he never did find his holy grail - an original, new-in-box 1986 edition of Fireball Island - out in the wild, his brothers have vowed to continue the quest in his name.

To know Stephen was to love him. He had a larger-than-life personality with a quick wit, an infectious laugh, a fearless spirit, and, like Animal (one of his favorite Muppets), an undeniable wild streak that yielded a plethora of colorful "Stephen stories" among friends and family over the years (and left his parents with more than a few gray hairs). He was blessed to inherit his father's sharp intellect and innate ability to fix, build, or repair just about anything. His curiosity and love of learning led him down countless rabbit holes on all kinds of subjects, but he especially loved reading about the paranormal and wondering about the possibilities that exist beyond our spheres of understanding. He was also something of a pioneer in the world of fantasy football, having formed several early pre-internet leagues long before the phenomenon exploded in popularity online.

More than anything, though, Stephen was a loyal son, brother, uncle, neighbor, and friend. He had a generous spirit, always thinking of others and staying on the lookout for items he thought they would appreciate or benefit from. Greeting his nieces and nephew with pockets full of treasures he'd picked out just for them was one of his great joys. If Stephen was in your corner, he stayed there - fiercely, faithfully, and without question. That unwavering loyalty endeared him to the many individuals fortunate enough to be part of his circle. At his core, he possessed a genuinely kind and tender heart. His lifelong soft spot for the underdog fueled a deep desire to protect and help others, whether it meant standing up for a bullied classmate, keeping an eye on an elderly neighbor, or giving away belongings he believed someone else needed more. That same compassionate instinct extended to animals, including the many feline and canine companions he loved and cared for throughout his life.

Stephen was preceded in death by his father, Keith Edward Schwarz, Sr. He is survived by his mother, Georgeanne Klein Schwarz; his brothers, Keith Jr. (Jennifer) and Neil (Sharon); his nieces, Amelia and Rosie; his nephew, Charlie; and his beloved pets-dogs Emmy and Spiderman, and cats Lancelot, Cooper, Booty, and Roswell.

Stephen will be deeply missed, but he will also live forever in the hearts of those who knew and cherished him. We know that God will keep Stephen busy as a guardian angel to many, and that Stephen will relish this role and fulfill it like no other. The signs are already there.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church, 4921 W. Metairie Ave., Metairie, LA 70001, with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. followed by Mass at 12:00 p.m. Inurnment will follow at Garden of Memories, 4900 Airline Dr., Metairie, LA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Stephen's name to the Humane Society of Louisiana or to the Little Sisters of the Poor Sacred Heart Residence in Mobile, AL.