Charles Edward Stewart's Obituary
Charles (Charlie) Edward Stewart, age 86, of Spotsylvania, VA was called to his heavenly home on Jan, 19, 2015.
He was preceded in death by his parents Edward Maltman Stewart and Elizabeth Johanna Reek Stewart of Plymouth, MI; his half sister Phyllis Stewart Brown of Farmington Hills, MI and her husband Robert Brown; his half sister Evelyn Stewart Gransden of Monte Verde, FL and her husband David Gransden of Coleman, MI; and his brother Irving Jerome Stewart of Montgomery, OH.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years Mary Elizabeth Lyon Stewart of Spotsylvania VA, their daughter Laura Elizabeth Rodriguez, her husband John Rodriguez, her son Spenser Everett Fleming and daughter Elisa Marianne Fleming of Virginia Beach VA; their daughter Linda Gay Stewart Blair, her husband Robert Bruce Blair of Partlow VA and their son Nathan Daniel Blair and his wife Melyssa Vazquez of New York City and a Sister Inlaw Marilyn Deitz Stewart of San Diego CA. Charlie loved his family very much.
Charlie was born on December 12, 1928 in Plymouth MI where he graduated from Plymouth High School with the class of 1946. He attended Michigan State Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University) at Ypsilanti MI for two years on a pre-engineering curriculum. Following a year of working to save for college he enrolled at the Michigan College of Mining and Technology (now Michigan Technological University) at Houghton MI majoring in electrical engineering and graduating with the class of 1952.
As a youth he enjoyed ice skating, snow skiing, and water skiing. He loved to play tennis.
During his 20s he organized, played in, and wrote arrangements for dance bands ranging in size from five to 16 instruments. Clarinet and alto saxophone were his primary instruments.
His career was in the U.S. Civil Service at the Navy Department, Bureau of Ships, in Washington DC. It was there that he met and married Mary Lyon. They were married at the East Washington Heights Baptist Church in South East Washington DC on December 11, 1954. They were active dancers, bowlers, birdwatchers, hikers, campers and backpackers. In Oct 1956 the couple moved from Washington DC to Springfield VA. In November 1982 they moved to Spotsylvania VA where they became charter members of the Spotsylvania Presbyterian Church in Spotsylvania VA. Charlie helped start the choir at Spotsylvania Presbyterian Church and remained an active choir member for ten years. He was ordained an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. Charlie retired from the Naval Sea Systems Command in January 1984.
Charlie is probably best known in the Fredericksburg area as a woodcarver, specializing in birds and especially in songbird pins. He was a volunteer income tax preparer with the AARP TaxAide Program for 15 years.
A memorial service will be held at the Hope Presbyterian Church on Sunday January 25 at 2:00pm with a Reception to follow. An online guest book is available at www.foundandsons.com.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or a favorite charity.
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