Steve "Fuji" Bryan

Stephen Gene “Fuji” Bryan, age 62, passed away on Wednesday, December 8, 2022, in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Steve was born in Seoul, Korea on November 16, 1960. He was adopted and brought to America by Rev. Bobby and Betty Bryan in March of 1961.

Steve was a graduate of Rains High School and received his Bachelor of Science in Business from East Texas Baptist College or East Texas Baptist University as it is now known. After graduation, Steve began his career with Aramark in food service. This led him to many universities, prisons, and camps across the United States from Pennsylvania to Winnsboro, Louisiana, and numerous states in between. While working in Winnsboro, Louisiana; God led him to First Baptist Church Winnsboro. It was there that Steve began working with the youth and eventually became the full-time youth minister. Steve always said he wasn’t called into the ministry, but he was called to minister. And minister, he did, for 17 years. Over those 17 years, Steve’s family grew by leaps and bounds. Every youth that went through his ministry became one of his “kids.”  After leaving Winnsboro, Steve moved to Emory, TX to stay with his sister, Jeanette, and her husband Wayne. What started out as temporary arrangements, soon became permanent.  Most recently, Steve served as a substitute teacher for Rains ISD, adding to his family of “kids” with the students he interacted with. He was dearly loved by all those who worked with him, served with him, and were led by him.

Steve is survived by his sister, Jeanette Melton and husband Wayne; Nephew Corey Beasley and wife Alicia, Niece Kimberly Crain and husband Ronny, Niece Sarah Jones, and husband Jacob, Nephew Jonathan Beasley, and wife Taylor, Niece Kalie Berry and husband Bradford, and Niece Laura Jackson and husband Jace. He is also survived by numerous great-nephews and nieces, best friends, and extended family, as well as all his “kids” from his youth ministry.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Bobby and Betty Bryan.