Stephen Franklin Byus

Stephen Franklin Byus, age 39, of Reynoldsburg, and a former resident of Wellston, died Tuesday, September 16, 2014, in Kabul, Afghanistan from injuries received from a suicide bomber attack near his location. Steve had volunteered to assist the Afghan National Army in improving its logistics capabilities. He was employed by the Defense Logistics Agency and had been deployed from DLA Land and Maritime in Columbus, Ohio. Steve was born February 14, 1975 in Chillicothe, Ohio to Randall W. Byus and Suzanna Price Byus. He was a graduate of Sts. Peter and Paul Elementary School and then went on to attend and graduate from Wellston High School in 1993. While in high school, Steve enjoyed playing sports and being a friend to everyone. He graduated from the University of Rio Grande with a Bachelors Degree in Business Management. Steve was a member of the United States Navy Reserves and was on his third tour of duty in the Middle East at the time of his death. He was a loving husband and wonderful father, son, brother and friend, who loved spending time and playing with his children. Steve was very active with the Taylor Road Elementary Watchdog Program in Reynoldsburg and he was an avid Pittsburg Steelers fan. Steve is survived by his wife of 12 years, Valerie Fouty Byus, who he married on September 15, 2002; 2 children, Alexandrea Nicole, age 9 and Jacob Aaron, age 6; parents, Randall W. Byus (Bonnie) of Wellston and Suzanna Price Byus of Coalton; brothers, Matthew Byus (Samantha) of Cambridge, Vermont and Daniel and Randall J. Byus, both of Coalton; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clifton and Donna Fouty of Jackson; sisters-in-law, Angie Remy (Larry DesJardins) of Gahanna and Vickie Fouty of Vinton; brother-in-law, David Fouty (Peggy) of Columbia, SC, as well as several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jerry R. Byus, Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Jacobs Byus and Harry N. Price, Helen J. Yates Pierce and Leo F. Pierce, and his brother-in-law, Cliff Fouty. A private family gathering will be held at the McWilliams Funeral in Wellston at the family's convenience. Public visitation will be Saturday from 2 to 8 P.M. at the Wellston High School. Funeral service will be Sunday at 2 P.M. at the Wellston High School with John Pelletier, CLP officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairmount Cemetery in Jackson with military honors by the Navy Operational Support Center Columbus, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate contributions be given to a fund that has been set up in Reynoldsburg to help with the future education of his children, Alexandrea and Jacob, C/O Valerie Byus, 8423 Rodebaugh Road, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068.