Junius Rice Stewart

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 that has been 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 1950’s, he was a driver for the Lush Ice Company, located in Kansas City, KS at the time. His job was to deliver 20-100lb blocks of ice to customers for their ice boxes, 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.

Besides his work, 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 Chief’s home games for decades. Nonetheless, if asked what his greatest accomplishment was in life, he would say, his family. He took great pride in his ever-growing family, 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 to 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, 3 great-great-grandchildren: Madden Falls, Jade and Aura Storm.

Please join us in honoring JR’s legacy.

Visitation will be held on January 7,, 2026 from 5-8pm at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, located at 3736 S. Lee’s Summit Road, Independence, MO 64055

Funeral Service will be held on January 8, 2026, at 1pm at St. Mark’s Catholic Church

Graveside Ceremony immediately follows at Floral Hills Cemetery, located at 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64133