Frank Stewart

December 12, 1921-June 17, 2014

92, of Platteville

You blazed into God’s kingdom

Like you rode into our hearts.

Ridin’ on that grizzly bear,

Heaven’s crowds to part.

I know God’s smile was shining bright,

His arms were open wide

As He welcomed into heaven

The old mountain man – His prize.

Frank came into this world on December 12, 1921. He was born on the Cheyenne-Arapahoe Reservation, close to the Chisholm Trail in Oklahoma, to Washington Franklin and Elizabeth Laura May Awtrey Stewart. He awakened in heaven Tuesday morning, June 17, 2014 from Greeley, Colorado, having given a loving 92 years on earth.

Raised on a farm in Oklahoma, his early memories included helping break horses and mules that everyone else in the community had given up on. Working in his Granddad’s general store in Greenfield Oklahoma allowed this eager and kindly young sprout to serve his neighbors who included Cheyenne-Arapahoe chieftains!

After surviving the fiercest part of the Dust Bowl days, Frank’s family moved to Canon City, Colorado where he finished high school with an amazing group of classmates that still gather monthly. He traveled west to California and was part of the 4th Interceptor Command building Radar Bases.

From 1942-46 Frank (or “Scuttlebutt” as his mates called him) served our country in the 54th Naval Construction Battalion, Company D, Platoon 5 (the Seabees). He was the Service Manager of all the heavy equipment and built invasion bases along the North African coast. He eyes would twinkle as he stated that his group went in first to get things ready for the Marines! He carried two duffle bags so he would have medicine for his fellow Seebee's needs, hiking back for the second bag when the platoon took a rest. God spared his life when his commanding officer had him transferred to Army Combat Engineers for the invasion of Sicily for one month. The remainder of his original platoon was decimated. Frank went on to build airbases in the Philippine Islands and was certified and served as a Deep Sea Diver. He also built a Naval Receiving Base for all Navy and Marine replacement people in the Pacific.

After the war, on October 6, 1946, Frank married Ruth Caroline Skoglund, a charming, talented and beautiful young lady who was his sister’s best friend. They shared 67 years of committed love. Frank and Ruth headed to Fort Collins, Colorado to Colorado A & M, (now CSU), to major in Agronomy, Animal Husbandry, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Math and Chemistry.

He wandered back to California where he enjoyed 10 years as the Landscape Specialist for Forest Lawn Memorial Park with over 2,000 acres of landscaping to create and maintain. While there he was a Board Member and the President of the Southern California Turf Grass Council.

Frank Stewart was always the first to arrive with his family and tools on church workdays. His life showed his deep commitment to His Savior. He sang bass in the church choir while Ruth played the organ, was a Sunday School teacher and both a deacon and trustee.

In 1963, Frank headed back to Colorado to build a new Cemetery in Denver and help start the Rocky Mountain Regional Turf Grass Association. He served as President of this association from 1963-1965. From 1963-1974 he was on the Advisory Committee, Colorado State Agricultural Department for Colorado State University. Frank was on the Weld County Board of Adjustment for 14 years, and on the Weld County Council for two years. He was a 32nd Degree Mason, member of El Jebel Shrine and Eastern Star. As a member of the Greeley Shrine Club, he helped send two teams of Doctors and Nurses to the Shriner’s Burns Research Hospital for a week of specialized training for the Northern Colorado Medical Center Burns Unit. Frank and his horse Jimmy served in the Weld County Sheriff's Posse. Frank was also a member of the Platteville Lyons Club, American Legion and VFW.

Frank’s favorite hobby was making his “Mountain Man” talks to Colorado History classes, churches and clubs in Colorado and California. He taught and entertained more than 238,000 children and adults, whom he loved.

For eleven years, Frank was a Partner in Emerald Bluegrass Sod Farm and became the owner/operator of Weld LP Gas in 1969, where he made many wonderful friends. His later years were spent enjoying friends and family at his home in Anacortes, Washington, outside Platteville, and in the beautiful Rockies.

Frank is survived by his wife, Ruth Stewart of Platteville, daughters Jeanne Perry of Greeley and Sue Howe of Superior and son Frank Stewart of Platteville, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren and a brother, Kent Stewart of Hampton, VA. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Rex Stewart and sister Vonda Jean Goodman.

Visitation from 4-7:00 P.M. Thursday, June 19, 2014, at the Allnutt Macy Chapel. Interment will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 21, 2014 at Lakeside Cemetery in Canon City, CO. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at Grace Church with a reception to follow at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Crippled Children’s Hospital in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 702 13th Street, Greeley, CO 80631. Friends may view the online obituary and send condolences at www.allnutt.com.