Reef Kugies
Reef Kugies, 9 years old, died
suddenly following foot surgery
on September 23, 2009 while
recuperating at CHOC Hospital
in Orange. Reef was born at
Hoag Hospital on June 9, 2000.
He attended Mariners School
Kindergarten through 4
th grade.th at theth Street in Newport
Reef was a joy to all who knew
him. A smiling and warm-hearted
boy, he was full of love for his parents,
friends and family. He loved sports,
especially football, and was an active participant with his
friends as often as time and his family would allow. He
loved to travel and loved his time at Catalina Island,
Mexico and Hawaii.
Reef continually inspired others around with his
enthusiasm. He made friends easily and shared his joy of
living with all who knew him. Reef used former UCLA
Coach John Wooden’s “Pyramid of Success” as a guideline
for living, sharing daily that message with those around
him. Reef cared about everyone near and far, and put
others feelings before his.
Reef loved his parents and brought joy to their being.
He was continually thoughtful of their thoughts and needs,
and tried every day to add to their happiness.
While Reef’s stay on Earth was short, he will be loved
and remembered forever by those who knew him. Reef
loved the moon, and while our world is a little less bright
with him gone, think of him often as you are gazing upon
the sky. He will always be remembered and loved forever
by those who knew him. His mom loved him more than
anything else in the world, they were best friends.
Reef will always be in the memory of his parents,
Jennifer Kugies and stepfather Matt Smith, Mike Kugies
and stepmother Kimberly Franz, his grandparents Judy A
Gibson, Ursula and Manfred Kugies, Jim and Georgette
Hicks, his uncles Jim Hicks and Steve Kugies.
A Memorial Service will be held on October 4
Environmental Nature Center on 16
Beach at 3PM.
The family requests that in lieu of =owers, donations
be made to the Reef Kugies Memorial Fund, established to
honor children from Mariners school demonstrating traits
from the “Pyramid of Success”. (The Reef Kugies fund,
c/o Schools First FCU, P.O. Box 11547, Santa Ana, CA
92711-1547)
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