Stephen Matthew Barney

Stephen Matthew Barney 1975 – 2023 Stephen Matthew Barney, born July 14, 1975, passed away on Friday, March 24, 2023, due to complications from acute alcoholism. He was born to Kay Stephen and Jenifer Barney in Upland, California. Steve spent his childhood and early teen years in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. He was wild, adventurous, stubborn, and loving. He loved animals, swimming in the family pool, riding bikes, and being a prankster. He especially loved spending time with his best friend, his dad, repairing cars, riding bikes, and going to drag races. Shortly after Steve's dad passed away, the family moved to Utah, where Steve would live the rest of his life. He loved the outdoors and was always ready to go dirt-biking, participate in Scout campouts, family campouts, rafting, hiking, shooting, snowboarding, or any other adventure. After graduating from American Fork High School in 1993, Steve went on to get a degree from Utah Valley University in Electrical Automation and Robotics. Steve spent 20 years as an automation engineer for Dannon Yogurt. While in High School Steve made very close friends that would stay close and support him throughout his entire life, Collin Rasmussen, Lance Rasmussen, Adam Denning, Aric Sharp, Ben Ferguson, Zach Blackburn, Billy Freeland, Nate, Beef (Ryan Nield, his cousin), and Tara Nield his cousin. Steve was always available to help his family and friends repair broken items, and assist others in need. He always had a project to work on, either his own or another person's. He was at his happiest spending time with his son, Milo and step-children, Elizabeth, Britta and Caleb whom he loved dearly. Milo and Steve spent time at pawn shops and swap meets looking for treasures to restore, building things together, and watching movies. Steve was a loving father and step-father and was always up for trips to Moab, Disneyland, geocaching, swimming, and playing Guitar Hero. Our beloved Steve, father/son/brother/uncle/cousin/nephew/friend, bravely fought his addiction as it progressed in his last years; his family valiantly fought alongside Steve until the end. In his sober moments, there was no doubt that Steve loved Milo and his family and wanted to beat his addiction. We will miss him every day forever, but our memories of the countless happy times with Steve will sustain us. Steve is preceded in death by his father, Kay Stephen Barney, and his grandparents, Dean and Virginia Nield, and Stephen and Blanche Barney. He is survived by: his mother, Jenifer (Vern) Barney Utley, his son Milo Barney (with former spouse Heather Nelson), and step-children Elizabeth, Britta, Caleb and his sister Candice (Joshua) Edgar, his sister Erin (Michael) Rossel, and his brother Travis (Amy) Barney. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, March 31, 2023 at the Alpine 7th Ward Chapel, located at 890 Heritage Hills Drive, Alpine, Utah. A viewing will be held from 9:30-10:30 am prior to the services also at the church. The interment will be at the Alpine City Cemetery.