OIiver "Stan" Stewart (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Oliver Stanley “Stan” Stewart went home to be with his Lord and Savior on May 20, 2016. He was surrounded with love from his wife, children and grandchildren.
Stan was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on September 9, 1931 to Oliver James Stewart and Grace Wells Stewart. After the early death of his father, Stan grew up in many places including Arizona, California and Dawn, Missouri. He treasured the time that he spent with his grandparents and extended family while he was a young boy. Stan’s mother later married Garfield Hughes, a man whom Stan greatly loved and respected.
Stan graduated from Dawn High School in 1950 and then joined the United States Coast Guard. He served his country with honor and great pride during the Korean War. After his duty was completed, he attended college at Northwest Missouri State University where he studied to become a teacher. He later completed a Master’s degree in Counseling at the University of Colorado.
During his college years, Stan began dating the love of his life, Helen Marie Phares Stewart. They were married in Braymer, Missouri on August 6, 1955. Stan and Helen enjoyed many adventures and traveled to, and lived in, many wonderful places. They spent most of their 60 years together raising a family in New Mexico and Colorado.
One of Stan’s greatest loves was his family. He and Helen were blessed with three children, Julie Stewart Johnson (Jim) of Bolivar, Missouri, Joel Stewart (Margie) of Springfield, and Jennifer Stewart Ferrell (Shane) of Bolivar. He dearly loved his grandchildren, Jillian Johnson of Orlando, FL, Joseph Johnson of Fort Collins, CO, Janna Johnson Crain (Scott), Marissa Ferrell Campbell (Colin), Holly Ferrell, and great granddaughter Kaylee Crain, all of Bolivar. Stan’s survivors also include his brother, David and niece Debbie Stewart of Walnut Creek, CA, and many special cousins. His extended family through his wife include: sister in law Mildred Nester (Bob) of Kansas City, MO, brother in law Roger Phares (Charlotte) of Mesa, AZ, and many cherished nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, step-father, sister, Helen Ruth Stewart and niece, Karen Stewart.
Stan greatly valued education and was proud of his career as an educator. He taught high school science and wood shop for 7 years, and then worked as a junior high school counselor for 27 years for the Poudre School District in Fort Collins, CO. He truly enjoyed his students and touched many lives.
His hobbies and interests included traveling with his wife, fishing, hunting, and being outside, playing cards and games, reading, and attending any activity to support his kids and grandkids. He enjoyed being part of many civic groups such as serving as a volunteer fire-fighter, and being part of the Masonic lodge and veteran’s organizations. His favorite times were spent with his family and friends.
Most important to Stan was his Christian faith. He was baptized as a young boy, and spent his life serving Jesus. He served as a Sunday School teacher and elder at his church in Colorado, and he and his family attended First Baptist Church in Bolivar. His life reflected the Bible verse that he loved, Micah 6:8, “He has shown thee, oh man, what is good, and what does the Lord require of thee? But to live justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God”. Stan lived a life of faith, love and honor and and he will be greatly missed.
The family will receive guests as they celebrate Stan’s life on Thursday, May 26th from 5-7 p.m. at the Butler Funeral Home reception room in Bolivar. A memorial service will be held at the Federated Church in Dawn, Missouri at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 28, 2016.
The family requests that donations in his memory be given to the Poudre Retired School Employees Association Scholarship Fund in Fort Collins, CO, the First Baptist Church Youth Ministry in Bolivar, MO, or the Welsh Cemetery in Dawn, MO.
There will be a Celebration of Stan’s life on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at the Butler House from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a short service conducted by Billy Russell at 6:30 PM.
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