Junius Rice Stewart (JR)

JR Stewart, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2026. At the end of September 2025, he experienced a debilitating stroke. Despite his fearless commitment to recovery, his journey ultimately led him to be with the Lord. His family is comforted knowing that he is now at peace. He was the cornerstone of his large family, and there are no words to express the void left in the hearts of his family and friends.

JR was born in Independence, Missouri, to his late parents, John and Faye Stewart. He built his life centered on hard work, family, and faith. In the early 1950s, he was a driver for the Lush Ice Company, located in Kansas City, Kansas, at the time. His job was to deliver 20–100 lb. blocks of ice to customers for their iceboxes, prior to the transition to electric refrigeration. Before the age of 20, this job transformed into a dream of building a house. His adventure began when he dug his first foundation by hand. With nothing more than a good mentor and a vision, JR Stewart Construction was born.

His decades-long legacy of construction and development began with one house. From this humble beginning, his lifetime of success ran the gamut from single-family homes to his final project, The Falls at Crackerneck Creek. This final project, located in Independence, is home to one of the many Bass Pro Shops. At the age of 91, he remained actively involved with this project prior to the end of September 2025. His many construction and development projects will forever be a lasting testament to his success in the industry. His legacy is far from an ordinary success story.

JR was an avid cyclist, and he loved to play golf. He loved the beach, as well as the mountains, never shying away from a new adventure. He loved sports and was a committed Royals and Chiefs fan, attending nearly all the Chiefs’ home games for decades.

If asked what his greatest accomplishment was in life, he would say his family. He took great pride in his ever-growing family, with whom he often shared his great wisdom as well as his vast memories of days gone by. JR’s entire family meant the world to him.

JR is survived by his wife of 48 years, Christine. He is also survived by his children: Gail Yancik (Mark), Tresia Boone (Dennis), Mark Stewart, and K Jasmer Nelson (son by marriage). In addition, he is the grandfather of 11 grandchildren: Shawna Green (Jason), Bryan Kaplan (Angela), Tara Yancik, Crystal Kusick (Jason), John Paul Stewart (Stephanie), Stewart Yancik (Mariana), Cassie Smith (Danny), Kyle Yancik (Laura), Lauren Peterson (Jordan), Skylar Erwin (Garrett), and McKenzie Boone. He also left behind 19 great-grandchildren: Kolby, Christian, and Clayton Smith; Hadley and Jesse Erwin; Levi and Hunter Peterson; Bradley Falls and Autumn Spitler; Ava, Isaac, and Sophia Kusick; Hunter and Abby Stewart; Andersen Kaplan; Junius R. and Juliette Yancik; Noah Yancik; Harper Yancik. Lastly, three great-great-grandchildren: Madden Falls, Jade, and Aura Storm.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the American Stroke Foundation to support stroke survivors and their families:

Website: americanstroke.org

Mailing address for checks

American Stroke Foundation

6405 Metcalf Avenue, Suite 214

Overland Park, KS 66202