SFC James F. Stewart, US Army (Ret.)

Sgt. 1st Class James Frederick Stewart, 88, died Saturday, July 10, 2021. Born Nov. 20, 1932, in Blackstock, S.C., he was the eldest son of the late James Walter and Essie Thompson Stewart. James proudly served his country with honor for more than 22 years in the U.S. Army as a scout and Nuclear, Chemical and Biological (NBC) warfare specialist. For serving in Korea and Vietnam, he earned numerous commendations and awards, including the National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Bronze Star Medal with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster. After retiring from active-duty service, James continued to serve our nation by working at the Department of Veterans Affairs, where he helped fellow vets obtain home mortgages and access loan assistance programs. Throughout his life, James (known as Deadeye to his childhood teammates on the baseball diamond) was a devoted, loving and involved son, brother, husband and father. He happily spent time teaching his daughter to embroider, his son to shoot and both children to ride bikes and roller skate. He enjoyed playing catch, shooting basketball and camping. He and his wife, Elyn, were also proud supporters of the Richland Northeast High School Silver Cadets marching band. James was a skilled handyman and enjoyed woodworking, refinishing furniture and growing vegetables in his garden. A humble man of few words, James was known for quietly performing acts of kindness that enriched the lives of his family members, friends and strangers because that’s who he was. James’ survivors include his devoted wife of 66 years, Margaret (Elyn) W. Stewart; children Donna Marie Stewart Price (Jere) of San Antonio, Tex., and James Leslie Stewart (Leslie) of Columbia, S.C.; grandchildren James Winston Price (Paulette), Jennifer Price Gribble (Paul), Jennie Victoria Stewart-Rodgers (Jon) and Dorothy Leslie Stewart; great-grandchildren Jean Price, Vincent Price, Alaina Price, Connor Price, Logan Gribble and Rhyder Gribble; and two sisters-in-law Patricia and Gloria Stewart. In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his younger brothers Charles, William and Roy. A graveside service with full military honors is scheduled for 3 o’clock Tuesday, July 20th at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Rd. in Northeast Columbia. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel is assisting the family.

Tributes

SFC James F. Stewart, US Army (Ret.)

November 20, 1932 - July 10, 2021