Steven Richard McNelis

Steven Richard McNelis was born on May 6, 1946 and passed away on April 24, 2021 at age 74. Steve grew up in Van Nuys and graduated from U.S. Grant High School in 1964. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from Chico State, he returned to Southern California and obtained a Master of Arts degree from California State University at Los Angeles. He began teaching high school while attending the Southwestern Law School at night. After receiving his law degree, Steve returned to Butte County and started teaching law, legal research, evidence and criminal procedures in the Administration of Justice program at Butte Community College in 1975, and continued until he retired in 2007. He has been described as an instructor who used humor to keep his classes interesting and he often had former students tell him that he was the instructor they remembered as the one who helped shape their career. Steve had dual careers as he was also elected as the Gridley Justice Court Judge in 1976 and served in that role for 11 years until he retired in 1987. Even after retiring he continued to work as an assigned judge with Butte County Superior Court and other County Superior courts until December 2020. The court staff appreciated his empathy for litigants and in particular, his ability to help parties settle their cases in a way that allowed them to appreciate the justice system. Steve served the Butte County community with enthusiasm, clarity, and a vibrant commitment to justice Steve was active in a number of organizations. He served on both the Institute Committee and Journal Committee of the California Center for Judicial Education and Research and the Butte County Court Improvement Committee. In 1980 Steve was elected as the representative of all California justice court judges as a member of the Executive Board of the California Judges Association. As the liaison with the Justice Courts Improvement Committee, Steve was active in pursuing legislation to benefit the administration of justice. Steve was elected Vice President of the California Judges Association for a one-year term in 1982. Additionally, he was active in the California Judges, Marshalls, and Constables Association. Steve was also a member of the community-based Comanches horseback riding group in the 1990's and participated in numerous riding adventures. Steve loved riding his Harley Davidson with his wife, Kris, and his schnauzer biker dogs. He was a passionate skier and he and Kris enjoyed traveling in their RV throughout the United States. Steve is survived by his wife, Kris, his sons Pat and Kevin, his daughter, Kaillee, his grandson, Lassen, his brother and sister-in-law Don and Virginia, as well as his nephew, Chris and his niece, Kelly and their children. The family has requested that memorial contributions be made to St. Judes Cancer research in care of Brusie Funeral Home.