John Frederick Stewart

John F. Stewart, a lifelong resident of Macon, died peacefully on February 1, 2026, at the age of 99 following a brief illness. Even as he neared 100, John’s physical abilities and mental acuity marveled all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Through his considerable determination, he managed to live his entire life independently with little assistance until the final weeks.

John – “Johnny” to his friends and “Boompop” or “Batboo” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren – was born in Macon on March 26, 1926, to Charles Adolph Stewart, Sr. and Ella Willis Stewart, often referring to himself as a “depression baby.” He was a graduate of Lanier High School and Mercer University with a double major in Law and Economics. During college, he was a member of Kappa Alpha Order and served as #1.

John was predeceased by his wife Ann McElrath Stewart in 2020 after more than 69 years together. He is survived by two sons and their spouses, Steve Stewart and his wife Helen of Macon and Cliff Stewart and his wife Sandy of Forsyth and by five grandchildren – Walker Stewart (Tori), Elizabeth McCain (David), Andy Stewart, Katie Rabbe (Jeremy) and Bayne Stewart. John is also survived by seven great-grandchildren – Ella, Caroline and Charlie Stewart, Parker and Anna Clark McCain and Holden and Lucie Jane Rabbe – as well as his niece Barbara Abair and nephew Charles Stewart, III. John was preceded in death by his brother Charles A. Stewart, Jr. of Augusta.

John, a member of the Greatest Generation, proudly served his country by enlisting in the Army Air Corps (later U.S. Air Force) pilot training program at age 16 during World War II. A call to active duty came in 1944, but was canceled as the War wound down. After assignments at bases in California and San Juan, John was unexpectedly recalled to active duty in the Air Force at Randolf AFB in San Antonio after the Korean War broke out. When the notice of recall arrived in early 1951, Ann and John were engaged with a wedding planned in June. The wedding was moved up several months to March 24, 1951, at Mulberry Methodist Church, and two days later, the newlywed couple left for Texas. Ann never got a honeymoon, but according to John, she never complained about it either.

After military service, John and Ann returned home to Macon where he joined other members of the McElrath family in the lumber and hardwood flooring business in the 1950’s and 60’s. He served two terms as President of the National Oak Flooring Association headquartered in Memphis. In the late 1960’s, John transitioned Stewart-McElrath, Inc. into a specialty building products distribution business with warehouse operations in Atlanta and Charlotte serving the Southeast from Washington, D.C. to Florida. He retired in the early 1990’s and enjoyed his retirement years with Ann and his family and playing golf regularly with his good friends.

John was committed to his local community. He served Bibb County as a Republican state representative in the Georgia House of Representatives. He served on the Goodwill Industries Board and assisted the Georgia Radio Reading Service for the blind for whom he read a 30-minute program in honor of his mother for more than 12 years. He was a charter member of the Macon Civic Club, a member of the Citizens & Southern National Bank/Bank of America Advisory Board, a charter member of the Bons Hommes, and a member of Idle Hour Country Club, the Macon Elks Club, the Macon Moose Club and the Dixie Seniors Golf Association.

John was a lifelong Presbyterian, attending Vineville Presbyterian Church for many years. In the late 1990’s, he and Ann became devoted members of First Presbyterian Church in Macon. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to either First Presbyterian Church, 682 Mulberry Street, Macon, GA 31201 (https://www.fpcmacon.org/), or to the Georgia Radio Reading Service, 200 14th Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 (https://garrs.org/).

The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the special caregivers who lovingly assisted with John’s care, particularly Josephine (Jo) James and Tanya Carey, the staff at Westhill Macon and the wonderful nurses from Family Hospice, D’Ree Kitchens and Brittany Griffin.

A memorial service will be held on Friday February 6, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Snow’s Memorial Chapel, 1419 Bass Road, Macon, GA 31210 with the Reverend John Kinser officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. Burial will be private for family only in Riverside Cemetery.

Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Bass Road, is in charge of arrangements – www.snowsmacon.com