Steven Brinkley Jr

Steven Maurice Brinkley, Jr. was born on September 18, 1983 to Steven and Susan Brinkley. He transitioned on Monday, December 23, 2013. Steven grew up on the Southeast side of Columbus, Ohio. He was a graduate of Columbus City Schools. A gifted and talented athlete, he lettered in track and field and football. At an early age, Steven confessed his belief in Christ and became a member at Family Missionary Baptist Church. Among Steven’s proudest moments was becoming a father. He was the proud and dedicated father of his beautiful daughters Staisha and Shanye. He took pride in supporting his daughters in whatever endeavors they were involved in, whether it was attending cheerleading competitions with Staisha or taking Shanye to a tennis lesson. He truly loved and cherished his daughters. Steven enjoyed a stellar career at Baesman Group. He began his tenure as a temporary worker in the Kitting and Assembly Department. In 2007, Steven became a full-time employee in the Order Fulfillment Department and, after two years, was promoted to Receiving Clerk at the company’s production facility. He received a Five Year Service Award in 2012. Steven was a fisherman at heart. He loved to sit on the riverbanks and fish for hours. He was also a comedian at heart! Using humor as a coping mechanism as well as a relationship builder, no one was safe from one of his jokes or pranks. He loved to laugh and make others laugh. It was like his daily medicine. In 2005, the passion to coach was unveiled. Steven began his coaching career with the Easthaven Bulldogs. He was hyped! Ironically, his team’s first scrimmage was against the Eastland Vikings! After one season with the Bulldogs, Steven joined the Eastland Vikings family of the Unified Youth Alliance and began coaching as an assistant coach with the 105 lb. team. He would continue as an assistant coach for the 105 lb. team through 2009, when the team was runner-up champions. In 2010, Steven became the head coach for the 105 lb. team. In his first year, he led the team to the championship game, receiving runner-up honors. Steven received the Roger West Award for Coach of the Year. The 2011 season brought a new challenge for Steven, as he coached the 120 lb. team. He was able to coach his team to an undefeated season and the Midwest Youth Association (MYA) championship. He then took the team to Cleveland to compete in the Midwest National Football tournament and they won the championship. Steven extended the winning record of his 120 lb. team in 2012, coaching them to a second undefeated season and repeating as MYA Champions. He entered the team in the Tennessee Battle of the Rocky Top National Tournament, playing and winning against teams from across the United States. The team brought the championship trophy back to Columbus, Ohio. In 2013, Steven coached the 145 lb. team to an undefeated season and USA Championship, and runner-ups in the Tennessee tournament. Steven proved, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you do not have to have a college degree to be a great educator. He taught the boys life lessons to become men. Steven was a true athletic competitor. From flag football to the Marion Blue Racers to the Columbus Fire, he was a tenacious defender with incredible athleticism. He loved to play and he loved to win even more. Steven was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ralph and Elizabeth Jones, and Donald and Daisy Brinkley; his aunt, Christina “Nina” Webb; and uncles Michael and David Brinkley. He leaves to cherish his memories his mother, Susan Brinkley; father, Steven Brinkley; daughters Staisha and Shanye Brinkley; brothers Rondell and Kevin; and a host of relatives and close friends.