Steven Glenn Generaux

Steven Glenn Generaux April 14, 1947 – August 26, 2011 Steve was born in Reseda, California to Donna and Glenn Generaux, where he was raised with his two younger sisters in what was then the “rural” part of Los Angeles. His father was an LA City firefighter, as was his grandfather before him, and as Steve would later become. From a young age, Steve showed a great proclivity for getting into scrapes and trouble of any sort, as well as a burgeoning sense of humor that would serve him well throughout his life. The family always had a large collection of animals, which Steve always had a soft spot for - dogs, goats, chickens, and rabbits were regulars in their backyard menagerie, as well as one neighbor’s very angry, very unfortunate green cat, but that’s another story… When Steve turned 18, the Vietnam War was in full swing and he was drafted into the army, where he served 11 months and 14 days before being shot in the leg by enemy fire and being honorably discharged, as well as receiving a Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his actions in battle. Upon his return from overseas, Steve resumed his life as a contractor in the San Fernando Valley, where he learned the tricks of the trade and developed an uncanny ability to draw plans for any structure on a napkin or scrap of lumber. In 1969, he met and later married Lonnie Generaux, whom he always described as both his best friend and the love of his life. Later, they started a family with the birth of their first daughter, Nikki. At this point, Steve and Lonnie decided that the security of a job in the fire department would be of benefit to their growing family and Steve joined the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) in 1975. It was in the LAFD that Steve’s true sense of self (and sense of humor) began to emerge. He thrived on the constant danger and stress of the job, and took to emergency management scenarios like he was born to it; which in a way, he was. He worked closely with a group of guys that became his best buddies, many of whom he was still close to at the end of his life. Around the department, he became known as something of a practical jokester and if there was trouble brewing, chances were that Steve was close by (but seldom caught). In 1979, Steve and Lonnie moved to Capistrano Beach, California, just in time for the birth of their second daughter, Michelle, and raised their family there until his early retirement from the fire department in 2001. Several years after his promotion to Captain, Steve was injured on duty and released from service, but, thankfully, he was able to enjoy his retirement and also realize his life-long goal of general-contracting his own home, which he did right here in North Idaho. Since his retirement, Steve has designed and built a beautiful home, given away both daughters in marriage, been the first in line to see his four grandchildren right after they were born, and spent many hours as a training supervisor for the Sam Owen Fire District, which was close to his home on the Hope Peninsula. Steve will be remembered as the type of person who was always willing to lend a helping hand, who never passed the scene of any accident without stopping to see if assistance was needed, and who generously gave his time and considerable experience to anyone in need. He will be missed. Steve was preceded in death by his father, Glenn Generaux, his father-in-law, Adolf Glass, and his grandson, Kai Luttmann. He is survived by his wife, Lonnie Generaux, his daughters Nikki (and Ryan) Luttmann and Michelle (and Jeff) Van Stone, and his grandchildren, Hana and Leina Luttmann and Kane Van Stone, and soon-to-be-born Madison Glenn Van Stone, his mother, Donna Generaux, and his sisters Cecile Schwedes and Celeste Generaux, not to mention numerous friends, family and fellow firefighters. A private memorial will be held for the family, as per Steve’s wishes. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Sam Owen Fire District C/O Bob Wathen at 129 Sunray Drive Hope, Idaho 83836.