Steven Raynor Bye

Steven Raynor Bye, 75, of Tucson, Arizona, passed away on Tuesday, July8th due to injuries sustained in a bicycle accident. Born on August 4, 1949, in Marquette, Michigan, to Earl and Jacqueline (Holmes) Bye, Steven lived a life filled with passion, creativity, and generosity. A gifted artist and beloved teacher, Steven spent over four decades teaching art and coaching sports, including football, basketball, track and field, and tennis in schools across four different states. His deep love for the Southwest inspired breathtaking landscape paintings that were exhibited in galleries and museums nationwide. Even in retirement, his creativity continued to flourish. He authored four books, with his most recent published just before his passing, and was planning a book tour in Michigan. Steven is survived by his devoted wife, Nancy (Henrickson) Bye; his daughter Sara (Bye) Winter; his son Ryan Bye; son-in-law Brian Winter; grandchildren Maren Winter (Levi Goebel) and Eli Winter; his brother Randy (Gail) Bye; sister Candace (Jeff) Powers; brother-in-law Jeff Henrickson; and many cherished nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robin Bye. A memorial will be held at Bring’s Broadway Chapel in Tucson, Arizona on Friday, July 18th from 3pm-5pm. Celebrations of life are planned in both Grand Haven and Alpena, Michigan, in early August. Details will be shared soon. In lieu of flowers, a Fine Arts scholarship will be established in Steven’s honor at Alpena Community College—a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to inspiring creativity in others.