Steven Bruce Trank

On January 2nd 2016 the Lord called Steven Bruce Trank to his eternal reward. Steve was born on May 10, 1952 to James and Othello Trank. Being in an interracial family had its challenges and Steve grew up seeing injustice, discrimination, and the frustration of the marginalized in society. This shaped his world view and forged deep ties with his family members, especially his sister who helped raise him and his cousins whom he loved like brothers.

After High School Steve joined the U.S. Coast Guard and honorably served his country. Not long after his service he met and fell in love with Patricia Williams. They raised two children together, Phillip and Shanna. Steve’s proudest moments were spent with his children. Unfortunately, Steve succumbed to addiction and the struggle broke up their family unit. Steve battled back to rehabilitate himself and worked hard on maintaining his sobriety. His faith in God saw him restored in many ways and allowed him to once again be there for his children and help many others along his journey.

Steve was the embodiment of a Renaissance Man. He was a musician who loved to play the flute and could often be found accompanying a local jazz band on the congas at his favorite coffee house. Steve loved a lot of different styles of music from opera, gospel and R&B, but jazz was always his mainstay. He was a painter who loved to capture the beauty of nature and brought vivid landscapes to life. Steve was an outdoorsman who loved to go camping and fishing and even dedicated several years as an assistant Scout Master to the local troop at New Hope Baptist Church, Los Angeles. Steve loved to swim and even worked as a life guard at the Olympic Pool in Exposition Park. That was also one of his favorite places to roller skate and he could often be found doing some killer dance moves through the park.

Steve was a lover of technology and worked as a computer programmer and network technician. He passed on that love to others and was often helping people set up their computer or network systems or joining in on some quality gaming time. He put these skills to work volunteering as a sound technician at the St. Paul Baptist Church, Oxnard. Steve also had a shrewd mind for politics and was just a comfortable debating national policy as he was talking sports and current events.

Most of all, Steven Trank loved the Lord. He passed that love on to others, encouraging his son as he entered the ministry and modeling the core of the greatest teaching of our savior; Steve loved his neighbors as himself.

Steven was preceded in death by his parents James “Jim” Trank and Othello Leah Trank (Johnson). He leaves waiting to join him in heaven his children Shanna Trank and Rev. Phillip B. Trank. Daughter in law Denita L. Trank. Grandchildren Maxwell and Angelique Andrews and Eliyah and Elyse Trank. Sister Shirley Brown and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, family and friends whose lives were touched by his smile, his patience, his perseverance and love.