Stephen A. Zrenda

Stephen A. Zrenda Jr. entered eternal life on January 16, 2021 after battling coronavirus for a week. Steve is survived by his spouse of twenty-eight years, Muriel Lea Zrenda. Steve and Lea enjoyed their many vacations and time together over the years. Steve especially admired Lea's exceptional art and sculpture work that was duly recognized on many occasions by the art community.Steve had six children: Anne Murphy (Kevin) of Chicago, Illinois; Katherine McNair (Tom) of Cleveland, Ohio; Ava Zrenda of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Stephen Philip Zrenda (Kristyn) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Justin Grisham (Stephanie) of Yukon, Oklahoma; and Jamie Bleything (Timothy) of Edmond, Oklahoma.Grandfather to nine: William and Eleanor Murphy, Delaney and Declan McNair, Clara Zrenda, Luke and Elliotte Zrenda, and Sawyer and Sadie Bleything. Godfather to Susan VanCzak and Stephen Moore. Steve was born in New London, Connecticut on August 2, 1945, the son of Stephen A. Zrenda and Dorothy A. Zrenda (nee Phillips). Brother to Ellen Chandler (Bruce), Jerry Zrenda (Karen), Joanne Moore (Joseph), Marian Landry (Art), Joseph Zrenda and Laurie Zrenda. Beloved uncle to countless nieces and nephews.He attended St. Bernard's High School in Connecticut, an exceptional student athlete, well known for his varsity basketball and baseball accomplishments and inducted into his high school's Athletic Hall of Fame. He was recruited by the University of Connecticut for basketball and baseball. Steve played summer baseball during his college break days with the Vagabonds of the Morgan League in Connecticut. His coach introduced Steve to and trained him in the sport of boxing. Steve fought several bouts as an amateur in Hartford, Connecticut at that time. After graduating from Transylvania University, Steve served his country as a decorated U.S. Marine Reconnaissance Officer during the Vietnam War earning the rank of Captain after several tours of duty.Upon his return from Vietnam, Steve attended and graduated from the University of Kentucky School of Law. He commenced his professional career as a Compliance Officer with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Atlanta, Georgia. Thereafter, he served as General Counsel for Patrick Petroleum, Inc. in Jackson, Michigan. He later established his own securities law practice in Oklahoma City serving a global corporate oil and gas clientele.Steve survived the April 19, 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, carrying an injured woman from the Journal Record Building to safety. His name is embellished on the Survivor's Memorial Wall. Steve was an accomplished martial arts expert earning black belt recognition. He participated in multiple national karate tournaments over the years. He loved fishing, despite rarely catching a fish. He would say, "it's not the fish. It's the time spent." Once, after a nice fishing trip we watched his fishing boat pass us on Highway 44, having detached from its trailer. On that same trip, he awakened his six children by a trumpet blast. He loved football, poker, blackjack, skiing, scuba diving, golf and horse races and loved doing those things with his family even more. He loved introducing his children to new experiences and adventures. He was an amazing joke teller and bedtime storyteller. Midnight ice cream sundae? He was in. Steve was kind, gentle, soft-spoken and generous. He had an uncanny ability to squeeze your shoulder right when you needed it the most. He had a wonderful laugh and shining eyes. He taught all of his children that they can do anything they set their minds to. Life is short but sweet and boy, do we miss him. Care for your loved ones, tell them how you feel about them, wear your masks and keep your distance.