David Stewart

David Lowell Stewart was born June 3, 1962, in OKC. He passed away in his sleep at his home in OKC May 9, 2013. He graduated from Putnam City West HS with honors, received 10 music scholarships, and attended the Univ. of Miami, Coral Gables, FL. He also studied at OU and later travelled as a saxophone player with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. He was Instructor of Jazz Improvisation at the Clark Terry Int'l Inst. of Jazz Studies at Teikyo Westmar Univ., La Mars, IA. He also performed, led groups, and played with jazz greats, including Clark Terry, Jay McShann, and Frankie Jordan. David is survived by his parents Lowell and Vivian Stewart; sister Shari Smith and her husband Bob; sister Linda Dycus and her husband Larry; brother, Michael Stewart; aunts, Rev. Rosemarie Hamon; Betty Tirey; and Karen Williamson; cousins John Wilkinson, Kathy Kilgore, Sandra Duree, Lora Lee Farley, Craig Tirey, Cindy Smith, Jana Smith, and Amy Martinez; and 9 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, William Ramsey Stewart; paternal grandparents William Henry and Effie Bea Stewart; maternal grandparents Stan and Pearl Ramsey; and cousin Susan McDermott. David was a free spirit who devoted his life to the study of Bebop—a type of jazz originating in the 1940s, characterized by complex harmony and rhythms. He was a master saxophonist, clarinetist, and flautist. A Christian with a strong faith in God, David cared deeply for the welfare of the mentally ill and the homeless. He was also an advocate for racial equality. He hoped to be remembered for the joy his life and music gave his family, friends, and former students. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), 4200 Perimeter Dr, Ste 150, OKC, OK 73112; or The Jesus House, 1335 W Sheridan Ave, OKC, OK 73106. A Celebration of his life will be held at 2:00 PM May 15 at Guardian Funeral Home West Chapel.