11/22/2025
The OKC is saddened to report on the passing of longtime dojo member Steve "Taz" Margolis.
"Taz" as he was known to friends and locals had trained off-and-on at The Okinawan Karate Club for decades, as health allowed. He achieved the rank of Sandan, and was a fixture at classes and events for many years.
In fact, Steve was an active Brown Belt when I joined the dojo in 1985, and was one of the few remaining members that knew me at that age, outside of Senseis Steve Banchick and Andre Tippett .
I have many fond memories of Taz over the years, both in and out of the dojo. He was always willing to lend a hand when he could, even if it meant potentially electeocuting himself to test if a wire was "live". (spoiler: It was.) - but that's the kind of guy Taz was. If you were in his orbit, you were his friend - even if he was away for a while or other life circumstances got in the way.
Our condolences go out to Steve's family, friends, and fellow karateka.
