Jerry R. Stewart

Jerry Rowland Stewart was born in Benton, Arkansas to Edward and Inez Stewart on November 12, 1936. He attended school in Benton through high school. He completed undergraduate studies at Ouachita Baptist University in 1959 followed by a Master’s degree in Chemistry from Baylor University. Jerry attended medical school at the University of Arkansas, completing those studies in 1964. Afterward, he moved to Memphis, Tennessee where he completed his internship and residency in Internal Medicine, specializing in Pulmonary Medicine.

In Memphis, he met his wife, Sandra Kendall. They married on April 9, 1966 and spent the remaining 51 years together. Shortly after completing his medical training, he was inducted into the United States Army and moved to Fort Benning, Georgia completing his service with the rank of Major in 1970.

Jerry began his practice in Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Medicine with the Cooper Clinic in 1970. He practiced for more than 25 years at both Sparks Hospital and St. Edward’s Hospital. In 1995, Jerry transitioned from medicine to administration, serving as CEO of Cooper Clinic for ten years and helping to grow Cooper Clinic from eight doctors in 1970 to more than 130 doctors in 2005. After retiring from administrative duties, Jerry worked in outpatient medicine off and on, helping the underserved with River Valley Primary Care and the Good Samaritan Clinic.

Throughout his life and professional career, Jerry was active and took great pride in civic leadership, serving on multiple community boards across many areas including education, healthcare, military, aviation, and non-profit organizations. Jerry saw this work as some of his most important.

Family was paramount. Jerry is survived by his wife, Sandy and their three children (and spouses): Laura Stewart Hood (with Bret Hood), Daniel Stewart, and Todd Stewart (with Casey Stewart) all of whom live with their families in the Fort Smith region. Jerry and Sandy have five grandchildren: Zach Hood (Dallas, TX), Kendall Hood (New York, New York), Grant Hood (Fayetteville), Jackson Stewart and Benton Stewart. Jerry is also survived by his sister, Dottie Youngblood (Nederland, TX) along with Dottie’s children (and spouses) Leslie Krause (with Brian Krause) of Friendswood, TX and and Paula Mohica (with Ron Mohica) of Port Neches, TX.

Visitation will be at 11:30 am on January 2, 2017 at Community Bible Church.

Funeral services will be held at 12:30PM on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at Community Bible Church at 9201 Dallas Street in Fort Smith with Ed Saucier and Kevin Thompson leading the service. Burial will follow at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith at 2:00PM. All arrangements are through Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Tom Bull’s Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church.

In honor of Jerry’s commitment to medicine and community service, and in lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to the Good Samaritan Clinic, 615 North B Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901 or to a local service-oriented charity of your choice.

The family wishes to sincerely thank the caring staff of nurses, aides, and physicians of Mercy Hospital Fort Smith who provided care and comfort in a time of great need and appreciate greatly the uniform compassion they demonstrated.