Steven Cochran

Steven Cochran passed away on April 2nd, 2019, quietly and comfortably at home, with classical music that he loved playing in the background. He was surrounded by loving friends and family. He was graceful, generous, handsome, alert and hopeful to the end. Steve was a Southern gentleman with an ever-present smile who always left a smile on the face of those he encountered.

Steve was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas and grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas. His father, Hal, owned and ran a furniture store, played piano and ran unsuccessfully for Congress. Steve’s mother, Wanda, was very involved in philanthropic organizations and was most passionate about the Arkansas Symphony. Steve was very close to his grandparents, who were both professors at the University of Arkansas. In 1926 his grandmother was one of only two women who graduated from university.

Steve graduated from Duke University in 1981, where he studied history and economics. Steve played slide trombone and was in the band and marching band at Duke, which allowed him to travel to other schools with the basketball team for away games. Steven was a talented musician who learned how to play the piano and cello as a child and harpsichord as an adult.

After college Steve went into sales for the design industry in New York City. He sold commercial carpet for 10 years for Bentley Carpet Mills, an industry leader for luxury high-end carpet. After relocating to Los Angeles in 1998, Steve became an art and furnishings consultant for personal clients, focusing on finding treasures at estate sales. He was an avid collector.

Steve met his husband, Dan Clivner, in New York in July 1990. They were together for almost 29 years. On April 25th, 2014 they were married by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, in his office at City Hall.

As a leading couple, Steve and Dan were “accidental ambassadors” and good role models for those that they have never been close to or known, simply by “being themselves.”

Steve was very involved in civic and charitable activities. Steve was a board member

of the Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, and Chair of the Education Committee. He was a faithful supporter of Cedars Sinai Medical Center, the Maestro Foundation and the LA Philharmonic, where he was a member of the Board of Overseers. He also served for 10 years on the Board and Architectural Committee of Sunset Doheny Homes Association.

Steve is survived by his husband Dan Clivner of Los Angeles, CA. Steve is also survived by his two brothers, Joe and David of Little Rock, AR and sister, Kathy Ann Cochran of Southern Pines, NC and Jupiter, FL.

Other family members include his nephew Zachary (and Irina) Sobel and their children Liam, Sophia and Nina of Jupiter, FL and mother-in-law Mira Clivner of Hollis Hills, NY. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hal and Wanda Cochran.

A celebration of his life will take place April 7th at Hillcrest Country Club.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Steven’s memory can be made to the

Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California.

https://tickets.thewallis.org/dev/contribute.aspx