Stephen Michael Brennan was born September 6, 1966, and entered his eternal home
peacefully on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. He was born in Santa Monica, California and lived
in Marina Del Rey, CA until he was 12 before moving to Culver City, CA. He attended First
Lutheran Church and School in Venice, CA where he was baptized, received his K-8 education,
and confirmed on the same day with his dad on May 25, 1980.
He graduated from Culver City High School in 1984, and Steve's pastor at that time, Pastor Jim
Johnson, felt strongly that Steve should be a pastor and encouraged him to attend Concordia
University, Seward, NE (CUNE). Steve chose CUNE, not to become a pastor, but instead, to be
a Lutheran teacher. While at CUNE, he played varsity soccer for four years and was the
assistant coach for the soccer team his fifth year. He tried out for the Varsity Basketball team,
but was cut twice, but through his hard work and determination, he made the varsity basketball
team and played his last two years of college. After graduation, he received his first call to teach
at Faith Lutheran School in Vista, California where he was a teacher and coach for two years
(1989-1991).
Steve met his wife, Jan Heupel, at CUNE. They navigated a long distance relationship for two
years, and once Jan graduated from CUNE, they were married on June 29, 1991. Both Steve
and Jan accepted a call to South Bay Lutheran High School in Inglewood, CA where they
worked from 1991-1996. Steve taught various subjects and coached eight man football,
basketball, and baseball.
In 1996, Steve took a call to Trinity Klein Lutheran Church and School in Spring, TX, where he
served as teacher, athletic director, and coach. From 2006-2009, he worked at Concordia
Lutheran High School in Tomball, TX as the men's basketball coach, Assistant AD, and AD. In
2009, Steve returned to Trinity Klein in the role of Assistant Principal and varsity boys basketball
coach where he served until his diagnosis of Wegener's/GPA in October 2017.
Over the last 7 1⁄2 years, Steve battled with health issues from the damage the GPA had done to
his body, especially his respiratory system. Even though Steve wasn't able to work, when he
felt well enough, he dedicated his time coaching the Varsity A Boys Basketball team, his true
love and passion. He ended every basketball season with an exit interview. He met with each
player individually and gave them a copy of John Wooden's book, Coach Wooden's Pyramid of
Success Playbook, and inside the front cover would be a personalized note from Coach B.
Steve was an avid sports fan who loved his Dodgers, Lakers, Rams, and USC Trojans. A
favorite hobby was cooking up his favorite meats on the grill and smoker. He also loved sharing
Toby Mac sayings. Two of his favorites are 1) "Find joy in every day. Not because life is always
good. But because the Lord is." 2) I don't know how my story will end, but nowhere in my text
will it ever read, "I gave up."
He was a man of great faith and integrity who lived life loving his Lord, his wife, and family.
Throughout his 58 years, he touched the lives of so many, from the students he taught and their
parents, the athletes he coached, co-workers, friends, and neighbors. His love, faith, and
dedication to others will never be forgotten.

Steve is preceded in death by his father, Patric Brennan and father-in-law, George Heupel. He is
survived by his wife, Jan, and their three children, Seth, Shane, and Kayley. He is also survived
by his mother, Judy Brennan, his siblings, Jeff Brennan (Cat), and Chris Brennan, along with
Aunt Valerie Ojeman and cousins Lorie and Molly. Steve is also survived by his mother-in-law,
Pearl Heupel, and his wife's siblings, Ted Heupel (Charlotte), Tami Heupel, and nieces Natasha
and Emily Heupel, and nephews Jordan and Morgan Brennan, and Aaron Heupel (Ally) and
great-nephew, Sawyer.
A celebration of Steve's life will be held Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Trinity Klein Lutheran Church
in Spring, TX. Visitation begins at 9:00am with the service at 10:30am in the Sanctuary,
followed by a luncheon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Klein
Lutheran School in Spring, TX.