Donald Thomas Stewart

Don was born on May 12, 1945, the son of George Thomas Stewart and Mary Claverick Bowler-Stewart, and grew up in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, alongside his three brothers, Steve, George and Jay. He was a Rhode Islander for life, and it is fitting that he returns to South Kingstown now.

He graduated from the University of Rhode Island and went on to earn his MBA from Bryant College.

He served in the United States Marine Corps as part of “The Presidents Own” Marine Corps Band, and he was proud of that service for the rest of his life.

Don built his career in commercial banking with work that carried him and his family from Rhode Island to Newtown, Connecticut, and later to Park City, Utah.

He spent his final years in eastern North Carolina, living in Jacksonville, New Bern, and finally Trenton.

Don was an avid drummer, playing his entire life in different talented bands everything from Jazz to Rock N’ Roll.

He always loved the challenge of learning to be the best drummer he could be, all the while entertaining strangers and his loving family.

He married Lisa Garner on October 25, 1997 in Topsail Beach, NC. She was his partner through every challenge the years asked of them and through all the ordinary days in between.

Above all, he was the father of five, Devin, Brandon, Coleman, Hannah, and Lane. Don was a wonderful father who loved all his children dearly.

He was a bright light of positive influence on all of his children and raised them all to be successful, kindhearted human beings.

He is survived by his wife Lisa Stewart of Trenton, NC, his four children, Brandon Stewart of Philadelphia, PA, Coleman Stewart of South Kingstown, RI, Hannah Stewart of Raleigh-Durham, NC and Lane Stewart of Wilmington, NC; his brothers, Steve Stewart of South Kingstown, RI, George Stewart of Derby, VT and Jay Stewart of Stockbridge, MA; and two grandsons, Carson and Brooks.

A graveside service with USMC honors will be held 11:00 am Friday, September 18, 2026, at The Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery in South Kingstown, Rhode Island.

A celebration of his life will follow at The Coast Guard House in Narragansett, RI from 12:30pm – 3:30pm.

All who knew and loved him are warmly invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to:

The Wounded Warrior Project: Wounded Warrior Project Website

and/or

The Veterans of Foreign Wars: Veterans of Foreign Wars Website.

Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory of New Bern, NC along with Roger J. Boyle and Son Funeral Home of Warwick, Rhode, Island are honored to serve the Stewart family.