In memory of Stephen Barcus
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
This week, the village of Leesburg, Fairfield High School and Highland County lost one of their own in 17-year old Stephen Barcus due to injuries suffered in a car accident over the weekend.
I only spoke to "Peanut," as he was mostly known, on a couple occasions, but the first thing I liked about him was he spelled “Stephen” like I do, which I like to call the correct way of spelling the name.
What I remember is watching him play soccer for the Fairfield Lions last fall, one game in particular. It was the Lions’ first win in over a season, and it was Peanut who led the Lions to that victory, scoring twice in the Lions’ win over county rival McClain.
What struck me most was his tenacity and toughness … his no-quit attitude and the way he played against players larger than him in height and weight, but not in heart, and not in just that game, but every time I had the privilege to cover Fairfield soccer and basketball.
Even a couple weeks ago, seeing him in the Highland County basketball shootout, I told someone how improved he looked on the court.
Following the accident, a "Prayer Chain for Stephen Barcus" was created on Facebook, and on this page, amongst numerous individual Facebook pages, well wishes and prayers were typed to him and his family.
This comment was posted on the HCP site by Matthew Hodson, the FHS girls basketball coach: "Peanut was an outstanding young man that always had a smile on his face. I'm really going to miss him sticking his head in my coach’s office and saying 'Hey Coach, care if I shoot before you get started with your practice?' Awesome kid that has touched so many people here at Fairfield. Prayers for his family, friends, and the staff at Fairfield."
He was a hero to some as posted on the site by Linda (Straley) Lakes: "My son, Hayden, who is also small in stature, was very inspired by Peanut and his athletic ability. Hayden did not even consider sports until he saw 'his hero' on the soccer field. The little village of Leesburg will not be the same without Peanut. His family and friends are in my prayers."
I and the rest of the Highland County Press send our love, prayers and condolences to the Fairfield community and to the family and friends of Peanut.
Not knowing him the way most people did, I realize he made a positive difference in the lives of many people. There were many notes left on the Facebook page, but here are just a few from the people who knew him best.
• Prayers for Peanut’s family. It’s going to be weird playing Fairfield in soccer this year and not seeing you on the field. R.I.P Peanut.
• Thoughts and prayers are with Stephen's family and friends, and the entire Leesburg community. R.I.P. Peanut. You will never be forgotten and in the hearts of many always.
• We will miss you, Stephen Barcus. Peanut, you the man.
• I didn't know him at all, other than playing against him in sports. I’m so sorry for the loss, it truly is a tragedy.
• God Bless this family, and Peanut, thank you for being a part of my kids’ life. :) You will be greatly missed.
• I am so sorry for the loss of a son ... grandson and friend ... I will keep everyone in my thoughts and prayers.
• Peanut, you will be greatly missed.
• Praying for your family. I will always remember your smile and laughter when I would sub at your school. You will be missed. R.I.P.
• So sorry to hear about this. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
• You never failed to make anyone laugh when they didn't even want to smile. You were a great friend and will be forever missed. Your family remains in our thoughts and prayers.
• We all love you, Peanut. Heaven needed an angel, and heaven got the best one they could find. You will be truly missed.
• Peanut, you'll always be in our hearts.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press.
* * *
Stephen A. Barcus
1994-2011
Stephen A. “Peanut” Barcus, 17, of Hillsboro, died Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at the Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton as the result of an automobile accident.
He was born Jan. 5, 1994 in Chesterfield County, Va., the son of Anthony Barcus and Jerri Ruble Hauke.
Stephen played basketball and soccer for the Fairfield Lions, where he would have been a senior this coming year.
He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Jerri and Jamie Hauke of Hillsboro; father, Anthony Barcus of Newport News, Va.; sister, Lexie Barcus of Leesburg; stepsister, Tayler Hauke of Hillsboro; stepbrother, Jevin Hauke of Hillsboro; grandparents, Ted and Barbara Ruble and Don and Ronda Hauke, all of Hillsboro, and Diana Harris of Chesapeake, Va.; great-grandmother, Grace Ruble Steele of Hillsboro and great-grandparents, Donnie and Phyllis Hauke of Hillsboro; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Services will be held at Fairfield High School in Leesburg on Monday, July 11 at 1 p.m. Interment will immediately follow services.
Friends will be received at Fairfield High School Sunday, July 10, 2011 from 3-6 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the family c/o NCB Savings Bank to help pay for the expenses.
To sign the online guest book, please visit www.edgingtonfuneralhomes.com.[[In-content Ad]]
I only spoke to "Peanut," as he was mostly known, on a couple occasions, but the first thing I liked about him was he spelled “Stephen” like I do, which I like to call the correct way of spelling the name.
What I remember is watching him play soccer for the Fairfield Lions last fall, one game in particular. It was the Lions’ first win in over a season, and it was Peanut who led the Lions to that victory, scoring twice in the Lions’ win over county rival McClain.
What struck me most was his tenacity and toughness … his no-quit attitude and the way he played against players larger than him in height and weight, but not in heart, and not in just that game, but every time I had the privilege to cover Fairfield soccer and basketball.
Even a couple weeks ago, seeing him in the Highland County basketball shootout, I told someone how improved he looked on the court.
Following the accident, a "Prayer Chain for Stephen Barcus" was created on Facebook, and on this page, amongst numerous individual Facebook pages, well wishes and prayers were typed to him and his family.
This comment was posted on the HCP site by Matthew Hodson, the FHS girls basketball coach: "Peanut was an outstanding young man that always had a smile on his face. I'm really going to miss him sticking his head in my coach’s office and saying 'Hey Coach, care if I shoot before you get started with your practice?' Awesome kid that has touched so many people here at Fairfield. Prayers for his family, friends, and the staff at Fairfield."
He was a hero to some as posted on the site by Linda (Straley) Lakes: "My son, Hayden, who is also small in stature, was very inspired by Peanut and his athletic ability. Hayden did not even consider sports until he saw 'his hero' on the soccer field. The little village of Leesburg will not be the same without Peanut. His family and friends are in my prayers."
I and the rest of the Highland County Press send our love, prayers and condolences to the Fairfield community and to the family and friends of Peanut.
Not knowing him the way most people did, I realize he made a positive difference in the lives of many people. There were many notes left on the Facebook page, but here are just a few from the people who knew him best.
• Prayers for Peanut’s family. It’s going to be weird playing Fairfield in soccer this year and not seeing you on the field. R.I.P Peanut.
• Thoughts and prayers are with Stephen's family and friends, and the entire Leesburg community. R.I.P. Peanut. You will never be forgotten and in the hearts of many always.
• We will miss you, Stephen Barcus. Peanut, you the man.
• I didn't know him at all, other than playing against him in sports. I’m so sorry for the loss, it truly is a tragedy.
• God Bless this family, and Peanut, thank you for being a part of my kids’ life. :) You will be greatly missed.
• I am so sorry for the loss of a son ... grandson and friend ... I will keep everyone in my thoughts and prayers.
• Peanut, you will be greatly missed.
• Praying for your family. I will always remember your smile and laughter when I would sub at your school. You will be missed. R.I.P.
• So sorry to hear about this. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
• You never failed to make anyone laugh when they didn't even want to smile. You were a great friend and will be forever missed. Your family remains in our thoughts and prayers.
• We all love you, Peanut. Heaven needed an angel, and heaven got the best one they could find. You will be truly missed.
• Peanut, you'll always be in our hearts.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press.
* * *
Stephen A. Barcus
1994-2011
Stephen A. “Peanut” Barcus, 17, of Hillsboro, died Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at the Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton as the result of an automobile accident.
He was born Jan. 5, 1994 in Chesterfield County, Va., the son of Anthony Barcus and Jerri Ruble Hauke.
Stephen played basketball and soccer for the Fairfield Lions, where he would have been a senior this coming year.
He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Jerri and Jamie Hauke of Hillsboro; father, Anthony Barcus of Newport News, Va.; sister, Lexie Barcus of Leesburg; stepsister, Tayler Hauke of Hillsboro; stepbrother, Jevin Hauke of Hillsboro; grandparents, Ted and Barbara Ruble and Don and Ronda Hauke, all of Hillsboro, and Diana Harris of Chesapeake, Va.; great-grandmother, Grace Ruble Steele of Hillsboro and great-grandparents, Donnie and Phyllis Hauke of Hillsboro; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Services will be held at Fairfield High School in Leesburg on Monday, July 11 at 1 p.m. Interment will immediately follow services.
Friends will be received at Fairfield High School Sunday, July 10, 2011 from 3-6 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the family c/o NCB Savings Bank to help pay for the expenses.
To sign the online guest book, please visit www.edgingtonfuneralhomes.com.[[In-content Ad]]