Obituary of Jeffrey T Stewart

Jeffrey Thomas Stewart, age 77, passed away peacefully on July 4 in Shelton, WA, with his daughter Kiersten Stewart at his side. He lived his life to the fullest, and, never one to be deterred by his health or any other limitations, was dreaming about where he and his wife Margaret would travel to next even just days before he passed. He felt blessed to be able to share life with Margaret and they lived as a loving team until the very end. Jeff was born in San Jose, California and grew up in the Salinas Valley. He was the son of Vernon and Harriet Stewart and proud older brother of Douglas Stewart, who preceded him in death. Though he was his younger brother, Jeff considered Doug a role model, admiring him deeply, and considering him one of the truly finest men he ever knew. Jeff graduated from U.C. Berkeley with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and received his Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Systems. He was a U.S. Marine aviator and loved to fly more than anything, encouraging his daughter and grandchildren to share in his passion and someday pursue their pilot’s licenses. Jeff also loved adventure and the out of doors. While working at Boeing in the Seattle area, he delved deeper into sailing and spent many happy years in Port Townsend, Washington, building a sailboat and genuinely enjoying a commute that brought him to work to the sound of sea lions. He returned to California to care for his mother and was proud to work as an engineer, helping transition Fort Ord into Cal State University Monterey Bay. Jeff spent most of the last decades of his life in Kodiak, Alaska, working for the Coast Guard and then retiring there with Margaret to their little cabin on a lake. It was a place that brought them much joy. They had moved recently to Shelton, Washington, as they faced health challenges and to be close to Margaret’s daughter, Linda, son-in-law Drew and grandchildren Evan and Haley Davies. Jeff was also a proud father to Kiersten and grandfather to her children Jamie and Paulina Stewart-Aday of Washington, DC. He was curious and thoughtful, at times mischievous, always encouraging them to above all else enjoy life and make it count. “It’s the journey, not the destination” was always his favorite reminder. He lived up to his own advice fully with love, adventure and joy. Jeff’s ashes will be scattered in Kodiak, Alaska, and Monterey Bay, California, later this year, and a portion will be buried at California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery pending approval.