Lawrence Jay Steele

1939 - 2015

LAWRENCE JAY STEELE from Banning, California, died at the age of 75 from complications of pancreatic cancer. He was born on December 27, 1939 in Kansas City, Kansas and graduated from Inglewood High School and University of Southern California. Larry worked as a Choral Director and School Counselor in the Compton School District. He worked as a School Counselor in the Hemet School District. He loved working at Alessandro High School - he had so much fun with all the students who attended there. Larry was heavily involved in the community he lived and worked in such as Red Cross, Hemet Hospice, chaplain programs, police department, spiritual director for many people, Los Angeles Diocese, a deacon at St. Agnes and St. Alban's, and many other roles within the communities. He loved working with children and being a mentor to teenagers. He was one of their biggest advocates and took the time to listen to them. Larry is survived by his husband: Danny Berroteran; one daughter and husband: Amanda and Kirk Somdal; six grandchildren: Paulina Call and Jesus Martinez, Alexis and Joshua Steele, Blake and Zachary Somdal; five great-grandchildren: Liliana, Chloe, Noah, Lukas, and Charlie Mae; sister-in-law: Grace Steele, and Cynthia Berroteran; brother-in-law: Richard Berroteran; nephews and niece: John and Paula Steele, David Berroteran, Peter Halasz, Katie Halasz, and Susan Steele. Larry will be joining his son: Andrew, parents: Ruth and John, and brother: Jim in Heaven - creating mischief for God. He will be remembered for his zany sense of humor and love for family. 'Sit Around and Talk about Larry' Open Mic will be on Friday, August 7th, 2015 from 2:00pm to 6:00pm, at Danny Berroteran's home, 490 E. Indian School Lane, Banning, CA 92220. Bring your own chair, food and drinks. The memorial service to celebrate Larry's life will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2015, at 10:00am at the Trinity Episcopal Church, 419 S. Fourth Street, Redlands, California 92373. There will be a reception after the service in the Great Hall at the Trinity Episcopal Church. Please note that Larry insisted that people dress festive for the memorial service since this is a celebration of his life (meaning - no black funeral clothes!) For more information about the service, please contact the office at the Trinity Episcopal Church at 909-793-2014. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to either organization: Carol's Kitchen or Villalobos Rescue Center.