Steven T. Kuykendall

Steven T. Kuykendall, age 73, passed away on Friday, January 22, 2021 at home in Long Beach, CA, surrounded by his family, after an 18 month battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was born on January 27, 1947 in McAlester, Oklahoma to Henry and Frances (Campbell) Kuykendall and was the oldest of three children.
After graduating from Oklahoma City University in 1968, Steve was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps, serving from 1968-1973, including two tours in Vietnam. On October 3, 1970, he married Janice Francis in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and together they had three children.
Steve served 20 years in the mortgage banking industry followed by public service. As an elected official he served as councilman and Mayor of Rancho Palos Verdes (1991-1994), California State Assemblyman (1994-1998), and Member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1999-2001).
Steve was a long-time resident of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, serving as AYSO Region 10 Regional Commission and Palos Verdes Peninsula Education Foundation (volunteer and subsequent Director, Treasurer, and President). He was a founding board member of Fisher House Southern California Inc., serving as President from its inception in 2012 to 2021. Steve also was a ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church USA ordained at St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church in RPV, CA. He was the past President of the Los Angeles Phillips Exeter Academy Alumni Association.
Steve is survived by his wife of 50 years, Jan; daughter, Kerry (Matthew) Smith, son Brent (Salvatrice) Kuykendall, son Craig (Lauren) Kuykendall; and 7 grandchildren, of whom he was especially proud to be called their “Papa”.

In lieu of flowers, Steve has requested that donations be made out, in his name, to the Peninsula Education Foundation ( www.pvpef.org ) or Fisher House Foundation Southern California ( www.fisherhousesocal.org ).