Russell Lee Stewart Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Russell Lee Stewart It is with such deep sadness our family wishes to share the passing of our beloved Russ and Dad on Sunday July 19th, 2015 at the age of 81. He passed peacefully with his devoted family by his side after a valiant battle with lung and brain cancer. He was a man of great wisdom and we daughters even joked how he was our "wise old owl". He was our go to man who would always make things right no matter the circumstance. He loved his family so deeply and explained to us that love to him was shown in actions. He was an extremely talented man when it came to using his hands. He was a draftsman by trade and could draw, paint and do woodwork and landscaping like no other. He was also a great story teller and each one of us would "still to listen" when he had one to share. He loved his job as a draftsman and felt blessed sharing the work with his dear "best friend" George Scharmacher over their 57 year friendship. He also cherished the time he worked with his brother Ron Stewart who was also a draftsman. As much as he loved his work, his great love was always his family. The third son of Lacey Everson and Goldie Armenda (Daily) Stewart, Russ was born on March 17, 1934 in Ponca City, Oklahoma. He had big boots to fill because he was the baby. Russ had his two older brothers Bob and Ron who had to help keep him in check, along with two other loves of his life his cousins Teddy and Billy Purvis. He grew up on the family farm just outside of Newkirk, Oklahoma. Russ joined the Navy in 1952 and was honorably discharged on November 1, 1956. Russ also did another 4 year stint in the Navy Reserves. He then joined Smith and Moon Detailers and thus started his drafting career in Winfield, Kansas. Russ met Barbara Ann Davies and had a short courtship when they were then joined together in marriage on January 10th, 1958 in Winfield, Kansas. In 1959 Russ and Barbara moved to Emporia, Kansas and he went to work with Sauder Tank Company. A bigger move was yet to come in 1966 when he moved his now expanded family to Arvada, Colorado. He would now team up and form with his dearly loved brother Ron Stewart and dear friend George Scharmacher their own detailing business. By 1975 an even bigger move was yet to come when he moved a now expanded family of seven to Sacramento, California to go to work with Palm Iron Works. During his 40 years in the Sacramento area he would work for Ace & Stewart and PDM Steel to name a few, but up until his passing his was back working with his dear old friend George. Russ and George were the last of an era doing the type of detailing work that they did. As the dedicated men that they always were, as of late last year they were now buying all of their equipment to learn to draft via the AutoCAD Structural Detailing system. Russ/Dad never used a computer so this was a huge accomplishment for him and we as a family were so very proud of him learning this at 80 years old. Sadly the brain cancer took over and stole this very exciting next chapter of his life. He always persevered through every valley in his life and was such a great example to his five daughters of what great work ethic is. A shout out to George Scharmacher and family to say thank you and God bless all of you for your kindness and friendship all of these years! Russ is survived by his wife of 57 years Barbara and five daughters: Brenda Sizemore (Rowie), Linda Calvert (Mark), Karen Hopkins (Bill), Nancy Stockton (Jim) and Terri Stewart. Brother-in-law Robert Davies and wife Nina. His grandchildren: Nicole Gates, Heather Sizemore, Kara Hinshaw, Sarena Perez, Sarah Kelly, Joshua Kelly, Ashley Stockton, Justin Stockton, Cody Franco, Marissa Franco and Michael Franco. His great-grandchildren: McKinzie Gates, Hailie Gates, Paris Hinshaw, Peyton Hinshaw, Jace Murillo and Rylee Murillo. His nephews and nieces: Mike Stewart, Ronda Mefford, Steve Stewart, Roni-Sue Stewart, Bob Davies and Mike Davies. Russ was preceded in death by his loving parents Lacey and Goldie Stewart of Newkirk, Oklahoma. His fun loving brothers and their wifes Robert & Shirley Stewart of Newkirk, Oklahoma and Ronald & Opal Stewart of Sterling, Colorado. Two nephews taken much too young Doug Stewart of Sterling, Colorado and Mark Stewart of Greeley, Colorado. May God bless you and rest in peace Russ and Dad as your family will miss you so very, very much. You were the back bone of this family!! Thank you Blas from Kaiser Hospice for your kind and diligent care. And to Chaplain Connie, thank you so very much for the wood cross and bible it meant so much to Russ/Dad! God bless you always in what you do, you are precious!!

Russell Lee Stewart

March 17, 1934 - July 19, 2015