Stephen Patrick Golden

Stephen Golden passed away at the age of 53 on October 29, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. He was born December 21, 1962 in Denver, Colorado and grew up in Jackson, Michigan before finding a permanent home back in Denver as an adult. Steve is preceded in death by his sister Therese Thomas, his Aunt Mary Brazier, and his father William Golden. Steve is survived by his wife Debbie Golden, his son Nick Golden and daughter Hannah Golden. He is also survived by his mother, Edie Golden, and his siblings Kelly Golden, Kevin Golden, Mike Golden, and Bridget Jones, along with his nieces and nephews Liz Sharlow, Jessie Thomas, Erin Brown, Joe Golden, Amy Golden, Meaghan Golden, Will Golden, John Golden, Chris Golden, Andy Golden, Edie Jones, Molly Jones, and Danny Jones. Finally, he is survived by his loyal and loving miniature schnauzer, Joplin. Although Steve's family is large, it has always remained close. Aside from his immediate family, ""The Goldens,"" Steve has extended family including the Harpoles and the Andersons, and on his Wife's side, the Lepeniotis and Whitman families. Every four years The Golden and Anderson families connected at family reunions during beautiful summers in various home states of the families, including Colorado, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and one of Steve's personal favorites, Michigan. Steve, or as his siblings often referred to him, ""Large,"" was always a highlight and beloved member of any family get-together, and although he jokingly had a reputation for his tendency toward grumpiness, he was ultimately a big sweetheart who had nothing but love and good times to offer his family. In his professional life, Steve worked in security at the Colorado State Historical Society for most of his career. He quickly earned his position as Director of Security for the Colorado State Historical Society, and maintained that position until his passing. Steve and his wife Debbie met each other thanks to their careers with the Historical Society. In 1989, Steve worked at the front security desk of the Colorado History Museum, while Debbie worked in the museum book store nearby as the assistant director and book-buyer. Two years after they met, Steve and Debbie got married at Grant-Humphrey's Mansion. They had their first child, Nick, in 1994, and their second child, Hannah, in 1998. Steve later oversaw Grant-Humphrey's Mansion as one of his sites during his tenure as Director of Security for the Historical Society, while Debbie worked there as the mansion events coordinator before she retired in 2014. He took his job extremely seriously and maintained a high sense of professionalism while still allowing for his glowing personality and sense of humor to shine through, making him a joy to be around for those at work who got to know him the best and saw him nearly every day. Steve Golden made many personal achievements and accomplishments in his life, especially when taking into consideration the odds he beat to live his life to the fullest. Steve overcame Tetralogy of Fallot, a rare heart defect that occurs at birth and that only gave him a 2-year life expectancy, to become the loving father, husband, son, and friend that everyone knew him as. Furthermore, Steve was a passionate sports fan, specifically in support of the Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Tigers, and of course, his home team, the Colorado Rockies. Ever since a childhood visit from Bart Starr to the hospital Steve was staying at he had been a die-hard Packers fan, but above everything he loved the sport of Baseball entirely. He only missed one Rockies home opener, due to a heart surgery which he survived just over a year before his passing, which is a testament to his dedication and love of the sport. His ""bucket list"" included visiting multiple historic sports fields and stadiums across the country, most of which he did in fact visit at some point in the past few years, if not earlier. Steve had a warm smile that complimented his even warmer heart, and those lucky enough to have Steve in their life will forever miss the light that he brought into it. He will be remembered by his friends and family as the loving, easy going, and humorous man that he was. Steve left us all a little bit earlier than anyone would have liked, but the warmth that he left in each one of our hearts will never fade away. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM, Thursday November 3, 2016, visitation one hour prior, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 830 Elm Street, Denver, Colorado, 80220. A reception will be held following the Funeral Mass at 7100 East Hamilton Place, Denver Colorado, 80224. Any donations may be sent to the American Heart Association in honor of Steve. Please share memories of Steve and condolences for his family in the guestbook below.