James Lenard Stewart

James Lenard Stewart was born October 31, 1942 in Watseka, Illinois to Mack Stewart and Nina Moake Stewart. He married Cheryl Schnitzer November 18, 1974. He passed away December 4, 2024 at home in Shelton, WA.

He lived in Mason County for 80 years, growing up at Jorsted Creek. With the Olympic Mountains as his backyard along with elk, deer, bear and cougar, his youth is what young men dream of today. Out front was his father's oyster farm and the canal where the family harvested oysters and clams. Lingcod were plentiful and Jim fished often at his favorite fishing hole. His real claim to fame though, was riding his bicycle over the top of the Hamma Hamma bridges scaring motorists and occasionally himself. Rumor has it other dare devils in the neighborhood would ride the bridges as well.

He graduated from Irene S. Reed High school in 1960 and joined the U.S. Navy almost immediately after graduation. He served on the U.S.S. Passumpsic. His discharge was held up by the Cuban Missile Crisis. While still a reservist, he began his career in the timber industry, working in Thorne Bay Alaska. Eventually he would come home and work for Simpson Timber Company, first at the Plywood mill and then at Camp Govey and Camp 1. He retired from Simpson in 1980 and returned to school attending Clover Park Technical College. After receiving his certificate, he went to work for the State of Washington, retiring a second time in 2009.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Mack and Nina and his step-father Henry Korzeniowski. He is survived by his wife Cheryl and two son's Robert (Angela) and Steven. Jim was grandpa to seven grandkids and two great-grandkids. Family graveside services will be held at a future date.