Stephen Backus

Stephen Lyle Backus, loving husband and father passed away on Wednesday, November 29 th , 2023, at the age of 80.

Steve was born on December 3 rd , 1942 to Marvin and Betty (Converse) Backus in Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated from East High School, where he enlisted in the United States Air Force as part of the 'Buddy Flight Plan'. Steve served 3 years of active duty with the 48 th Tactical Wing in England from July 1961 to July 1964 with an Honorable Discharge.

After serving his country, Steve became a Bookbinder with Meredith Publishing Company in November of 1964. Steve met Janice Leonard in 1965, and married on April 8 th , 1966 in Des Moines, and had been married for 57 years. Steve retired in 2000 from Meredith Publishing Company, which had been acquired by R. R. Donnelly. Steve was always active and didn't like to sit around, so in his retirement he got a part time job at O'Halloran International Trucking Company in January of 2001, as a chase car driver until December of 2016.

Steve loved his racing! In 1954, Marvin and Steve, along with next door neighbor John Cline, would go to watch races as a spectator. He attended his first Knoxville Raceway "Nationals" in 1965. In 1971 he, along with many friends and family, began racing go-karts for fun and that is when racing became a huge part of him. In 1978 Steve served as a crew member on Bob Tuttle and Roger Long's 410 sprint car. The car was sold in 1980, but that never stopped him from attending the races. He would attend the races at the Knoxville Raceway every Saturday night.

Steve, and his lifelong friend Roger Long, attended the Indianapolis 500 starting in 1968. He was able to attend 49 consecutive Indianapolis 500 races. Steve was also a season ticket holder at the Iowa Speedway for many years.

In 2017 Steve was selected to go on the Honor Flight to Washington DC. This was an adventure that he really appreciated.

Steve was also an avid lover of camping. He began camping with his parents as a child and continued the same traditions with his own family. Travels included places such as Table Rock Lake, Wall Lake, Lake Red Rock, Rathbun, and Saylorville.

Steve is survived by his wife, Janice, and his 2 daughters, Brenda Gritts and her husband Gene, and Kristyn Steeples and her husband Chuck. Grandchildren, Danae Gleason(Eric), Brittany Larsen(Adam), Troy Gritts(Madi), Lane Gritts(Malorie), Aaron Gehrke(Leena), Brady, Cooper, and Georgia Steeples, and 12 Great Grandchildren.