John Raymond Stewart, 83, passed away at Baptist Health in Fort Smith on Sunday, July 31, 2022. He was born November 15, 1938 to Bessie Mae Cumbie and Grover Cleveland Stewart. John was born in the family home at Union Grove Community, which is now Fort Chaffee. He was a Mansfield graduate and grew up in the Abbott Community. John came from a large family that he loved fiercely. He was the youngest of nine children.
At eighteen, John enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served four years overseas. He worked for Norge/Whirlpool for thirty-seven years. John worked hard and took pride in everything he did. He loved mowing and manicuring his yard, fertilizing his pecan trees and taking care of his wife, Deanna and their home in Pocola, Oklahoma.
John was preceded in death by his parents, his four sisters, Mary Perkins, Alma Ruth Stewart, Isabelle Bethel and Norma Frizzell and his four brothers, Dallas Stewart, Floyd Stewart, Herbert Stewart and Harris Stewart.
John is survived by his wife, Deanna Stewart. They have had many adventures over the last 25 years. John loved to see Deanna happy. They golfed, rode horses, square danced, camped, took bus tours and played dominos. The regularly attended Haven Heights Baptist Church together. He often spoke of when he accepted his Lord as his Savior. Charles Whedbee baptized John in the Petit Jean River.
John was a loving and outstanding father and grandfather. He is survived by one daughter, Kim Young; four sons, Wade Stewart, Kenny Rogers, David Rogers and Dennis Rogers; sixteen precious grandchildren and twenty-three great grandchildren.
Graveside service will be 10 a.m., Thursday, August 4 at Liberty Cemetery in Greenwood under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood. Viewing will be Wednesday from 2 – 7 p.m. at the funeral home, where the family will visit with friends from 5 – 7 p.m.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Domino Bunch.
