Steven Craig Daugherty died March 9 in Santa Monica after a two-year battle against cancer. He was 49.
Daugherty was born on March 25, 1960 in Plattsburg, N.Y. and traveled extensively with his family as a child due to his father’s U.S. Air Force career. His parents and brother settled in Ft. Worth, TX and he moved to Malibu where he spent the majority of his last 30 years until moving up to the Santa Ynez Valley with his wife and child in 2008.
Daugherty was founder and president of Daugherty’s Painting and Decorating in Malibu. He also assisted his wife Moira in her horse business, High Sky Farm, in Solvang.
“His enthusiasm and love for life was clear to anyone who met him,” friends and family said in a written statement. “His daughter Aria Vue was the joy of his life, and he was heartbroken to leave her so soon. Steve was loved by many and is greatly missed.”
Daugherty is survived by his wife, Moira Gill Daugherty, and their young daughter, Aria Vue Lael Daugherty; his parents Lael Matson Daugherty and Colonel Robert Daugherty Jr.; his brother Robert Daugherty III; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
In lieu of flowers, Daugherty has asked that you consider a gift to Aria Vue’s education fund, which has been set up for this purpose. Donations can be made to The Steve Daugherty Memorial Fund, account number 0102484649, Santa Barbara Bank and Trust, Solvang, Calif., 93463.
A memorial service for Daugherty will be held March 28 at Serra Retreat at 3 p.m.