Stevin V. R. Barringer, 69, of Ellijay, Georgia, died unexpectedly on September 18, 2026.

Steve was born in France in 1957 while his father was stationed there, and returned to the United States with his family as a young child. He spent his early childhood in the rural community of Oldwick, New Jersey, surrounded by farmland and living near his family, before moving to Ho-Ho-Kus at age ten. He later made his home in Crystal Beach, Florida, where he lived for more than 20 years before retiring and moving to the mountains of Ellijay, Georgia, in 2015. In September 2025, he returned to New Jersey to celebrate his 50th high school reunion and reconnect with old friends.

Steve spent much of his working life doing the kind of work that suited him best—working with his hands, figuring out how things worked, and fixing things. While living in Florida, he built custom rock pools, earning him the fitting nickname “Rock Guy.” After years of working in the Florida heat, Steve retired from the physically demanding work and headed for the mountains of North Georgia.

In Ellijay, Steve found his perfect forever home in the Rodgers Creek community. He loved the peacefulness of his property and the nature that surrounded him. He had a special affection for animals, including his beloved bird, Indy, who was his companion for nearly 25 years. More recently, a stray cat named Bubba found his way into Steve's life, eventually becoming comfortable enough to curl up on his lap.

Steve lived alone, but he was never lonely. While he enjoyed the solitude of his home, he was very much a part of his community. He served as president of his homeowners association and started an annual community picnic that brought neighbors together.

Cars and anything with a combustible engine were a lifelong passion. Steve was always searching for his next project or a good deal, and over the years restored a number of vintage cars. His most recent find—a 1959 Ford Thunderbird—was waiting in his garage to become his next project. Even in retirement, Steve continued to share his knowledge and enthusiasm for cars while helping customers at O'Reilly Auto Parts.

In June, Steve returned from a long-awaited bucket-list trip out West, traveling solo in a teardrop trailer he had renovated himself. His journey took him through Yellowstone National Park, where he especially loved the wildlife, waterfalls, and spectacular scenery. He eagerly shared photographs of the bison, deer, and natural beauty he encountered along the way. His adventures also took him to Big Sky, Montana, and Glacier National Park. The trip brought him tremendous happiness and reflected his independent and adventurous spirit.

Family and friends were deeply important to him. His sister Lisa and her son, James, knew they could always count on Steve when they needed him. Though distance separated him from his sister Barbara and her family, he regularly asked about his niece and nephews and wanted to know what was happening in their lives. He proudly carried on his Finnish grandmother's tradition of baking coffee bread for the holidays. At the time of his death, Steve was preparing to travel to Colorado to celebrate his nephew Alex’s wedding.

Steve was someone you could count on, particularly when something needed fixing or a car needed attention. Beneath his practical, mechanically minded exterior was a gentle man who appreciated the quiet pleasures of his home, his animals, his family and the community he had made his own.

Steve was predeceased by his mother, Sylvia Katrina Elgood, who died in 2006, and his brother-in-law, James Tullius, who died in 2016.

He is survived by his sisters, Barbara Grandchamp and her husband, David, and Lisa Barringer Tullius; his nieces and nephews, James Tullius, Rachel Tullius, Alexander Grandchamp, Douglas Grandchamp and Lauren Grandchamp; and the family, friends and neighbors who were fortunate to know him.

A Celebration of Life picnic will be held in the Rodgers Creek community in Ellijay, Georgia on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 1:00pm. The location is across the street from 2879 Rodgers Creek Road and the corner of Candy Lane.

The staff of Logan Funeral Home and Chapel is honored to serve the Barringer family.