James H. Stewart's Obituary
James H. Stewart, age 92, passed away peacefully, in his sleep Sunday, October 13, 2024. He was born August 1, 1932, in El Dorado, Arkansas, and moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas when he was seven years old where his family took root, and his father took over the Adams salvage yard after the passing of his grandfather. James graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1950 and spent one year at the University of Arkansas before entering the Naval Academy the following year. While at the U of A, James pledged and became a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. During his Academy tour, James went on a double date with a fellow classmate and ended up courting and marrying his classmate’s date after graduation in 1955. James married the love of his life, Margaret Ann, on June 5, 1955. He was commissioned into the Air Force, served three years of active duty, and continued in the Reserves to reach full military retirement as Lt Colonel. James received his master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Arkansas in 1959. From 1959 to 1963, James worked for Armco Steel Co in Middletown Ohio, and Memphis Tennessee where he lived blocks away from Elvis Presley. James returned to the family business in 1963 as co-owner of Ozark Steel Co with his brother Charles W. Stewart III. The salvage company was then expanded into a successful steel fabrication and erection company for northwest Arkansas and beyond. He was a member and past president of the Fayetteville Rotary Club, and a board member of McIlroy Bank.
He is survived by sister June Newkirk (husband Darrell) and his four children; James H Stewart II (wife Chris), Scott E Stewart (wife Sarah), Donna L Gage (husband Ted), and Mark P Stewart (wife Dawn); Three grandchildren: Jacob and Julie Gage and Maura Stewart; Six bonus grandchildren Molly, Maggie, Whitney, Wendy, Benjamin and Megan. He is preceded in death by his wife Margie A Stewart, daughter Julie A Stewart, parents Charles and Mettie Stewart, brother Charles W. Stewart III, and sister Joy Findley.
A visitation will be held in James’s honor on Friday, October 18, 2024, from 5 to 7 at Moore’s Chapel in Fayetteville. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, October 19, 2024, at Moore’s Chapel with the burial following at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. A reception will be held in Butterfield Trail Village at the Lodge in Fayetteville, AR.
Memorial contributions may be made to Fayetteville Animal Services, 1640 South Armstrong Avenue, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
Click this link to view additional details about James's Services, including any available live streams: https://my.gather.app/remember/james-stewart-2024
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