Kyle Leo Trahan

1970 - 2022

Kyle Leo Trahan
February 6, 1970 - April 11, 2022
Atascadero, California - On April 11th at 2:55pm Kyle Trahan passed away peacefully, while looking at the beautiful spring bloom in his yard and being held by loved ones.
As a father, son, brother, uncle, and friend, Kyle filled those relationships with love, humor, and kindness. To say he will be missed is an understatement. Kyle loved to spend time with his children above all else. Some of his other passions were planting and watering a small forest of trees at his home, working on countless projects including woodcarving, metal working with his forge, and building a Datsun 510 project car with friends.
Kyle was born in Martinez, CA. As a child, he moved to San Francisco and eventually to Los Osos, CA where he made many lifelong friends. Kyle spent most of his life in San Luis Obispo County, where he met Desilyn, the mother of his children, Quinn, Ashlyn and Kadin. He attended Cal Poly State University, graduating with a degree in History, and received his teaching credential in 1998. With a love of the outdoors and his knowledge of history, plants and animals, Kyle was drawn to a career as a California State Park Ranger. He was accepted into the program and attended the academy in Monterey. With only the final physical testing left, he was asked to participate in a cancer research study at the National Institute of Health, in Bethesda, Maryland based on a family history of cancer and a unique non-malignant type of tumor he had. During this time, Kyle was informed that he had advanced kidney cancer and the doctors would operate the following day. Hard though the news was, this extended his life 20 more years.
Kyle was the first patient that NIH researchers found living with a rare kidney cancer called Hereditary Leiomyomatosis and Renal Cell Cancer (HLRCC). After testing Kyle's family members, it became clear that HLRCC was the disease experienced by Kyle's late father and many other family members. This research contributed to the discovery of the genetic marker for HLRCC and has resulted in a simple blood test now available to identify patients with the disease and doctors are exploring new treatment options. Kyle helped make these incredible scientific advances possible. Kyle referred to himself as the "luckiest unlucky guy in the world".
Kyle served most of his career as a California State Park Ranger at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area followed by his last few years of active duty at the Hearst Castle division. The love and respect shown by his fellow Rangers over the last several months and during the time since his passing has been a testament to his character. Kyle described his duty as an officer as one of educating and wanting to have made a positive impact on people's lives.
Kyle could tell a great tale and made friends wherever he went. He will be remembered for his unique and creative sense of humor, childlike joy and enthusiasm for fun and adventure, along with his love, kindness and caring for those near to him.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 18th 2022 at the Pismo State Beach Golf Course. 9 Le Sage Drive, Grover Beach, California 93433 Please be seated at 10 am.