Kenneth Lee Stewart's Obituary
Kenneth Lee Stewart, age 66, of Fayetteville, Arkansas passed away Sunday March 8, 2020, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born July 14, 1953 in Huntsville, Arkansas to Jesse and Edith Tackett Stewart. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Richard Wayne Stewart and Loy Don Stewart.
Kenneth was a 1971 graduate of Elkins High School where he was a talented baseball player. He worked for Elkhart Products Corporation (EPC) after graduation until he entered the military in 1975. Just prior to being stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, Kenneth met Shirley Ward and marriage soon followed. After four years of living in Fort Walton Beach Florida, Kenneth’s interest in a military career continued to grow and the couple returned to Fayetteville where Kenneth served full time active duty AGR in the U.S. Army as a Personnel Sergeant for the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade. Those that worked with Kenneth expressed how invaluable and trustworthy his knowledge was in helping them further their careers. In November 1990-1991 his Brigade was mobilized and actively protected our country in Operation Desert Storm. He retired from active duty in 2000 with numerous honors and medals of which he and his family are most proud. After retiring from active duty, Kenneth took a position at the University of Arkansas in Veteran’s Affairs where he had a wealth of knowledge for benefits and resources that assisted student veterans in the advancement of their careers. Kenneth retired from the University of Arkansas in 2013.
Kenneth had many talents and interests including Bluegrass music and vinyl records. Kenneth was a gifted guitarist taught by his brother Richard to play by ear. Heather and Rachael’s memory of hearing their dad sing and play the guitar before school every morning will forever be in their hearts. He enjoyed bass fishing and gardening. His yearly garden put fresh vegetables on many tables. Kenneth loved all animals and fed the deer, birds, cats, squirrels, foxes—from corn and seeds to hot dogs and dog bones. He was an avid Jeopardy player for more than 20 years. Kenneth had a passion for long distance running and completed the Boston, Dallas, Hogeye and Nebraska marathons to name a few. He was also on the 1999 Arkansas National Guard marathon team alongside his fellow soldiers.
According to Shirley, Kenneth was a good ol’ country boy with big brown eyes, dark eyebrows and was full of compassion. Shirley remembers him arriving to pick her up on their first date in a blue 1972 Roadrunner. Kenneth was a loved man and he had much love to share with his entire family and friends.
Kenneth is survived by his wife Shirley of 43 years; two daughters, Heather Stewart-Edmonson and her husband Ryan of Fayetteville and Rachael Stewart-Williams and her husband Zach of Fayetteville; two sisters, Norma Jean Wiles and her husband Thurman of Elkins and Mary Elizabeth Rieff and her husband Gerald of West Fork; one grandson, Easton Lee Edmonson, who we hope inherits some of Kenneth’s great talents.
Visitation will be 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Sunday March 15, 2020 at Moore’s Chapel. Funeral services will be 11:00 am Monday March 16, 2020 at the Center Street Church of Christ in Fayetteville with burial to follow in the Fayetteville National Cemetery with full military honors.
Memorial contributions may be made to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, Arkansas 72762 or the Disabled American Veterans at dav.org
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