Stephen Warren Black

Stephen "Steve" Warren Black of Nikiski. Alaska, died on Nov. 19, 2020. Steve was born in Everett, Wash., to Don and Agnes Black on Jan. 29, 1937. Steve was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Gary. Steve is survived by his wife, Neva; sister, Donna; daughter, Mya (Aaron) Renken; sons, Steve (Carolyn) Black and Don Black; granddaughters, Josette, Kylee and Linnea Renken; grandson, Stephen Black; cousins, nieces, nephews and a large extended Alaskan family. From an early age, Steve sought adventure. As a youth, his sense of adventure often put him at odds with the law, to the discomfort of his father, the local Fire Chief. Steve's father owned an appliance store, and it is there where he developed the ability to fix anything, combined with an ethic to "do it right or don't do it at all." His adventures naturally led him to Alaska, where his profession as an IBEW, Local 1547 electrician allowed him to also pursue his callings of being a private pilot and big game guide. His children, nieces and nephews naturally considered him a larger-than-life character. However, they were humbled when Steve was described by friend, noted author and pastor, Billy Still, as "a giant of a man … like a character from a Jack London novel or Robert Service poem. While larger-than-life, he always treated us kindly and as he helped build a church, he regaled us with the tallest of tales. One had to wonder how this man was still alive. His was a life of many bold folks living large on the last frontier. We will have stories to tell forever. It is said that there are old pilots and bold pilots, but there are no old bold pilots. There was one for sure." A memorial service currently is not scheduled.