Gene Stewart's Obituary
Gene Stewart (Jeeper)
Father: Lorenzo Graham
Mother: Cleo Killpack
Dewey Stewart: 2nd husband to Cleo. Guardian to Gene
Gene was born on May 6, 1947, in Salt Lake City to a very sick mama, Cleo Killpack Graham. Cleo had been so ill during the pregnancy that she could hardly eat and had to be hospitalized several times. Gene Eddy Graham was born with a calcium deficiency and his lower ribs curled outwards.This baby had already had a sad start by becoming fatherless very early on. Gene's father, Lorenzo Graham, had been killed in a motorcycle accident when Cleo was just three months along in her pregnancy with Gene. Lorenzo and Cleo already had two boys before Gene. They were Gary and Garth, who died of leukemia at an early age.
Later, Cleo married Dewey N. Stewart, who became Gene's Guardian. At this time, Gene Eddy's name was changed to Gene Graham Stewart. This marriage was blessed with two children: a girl and a boy, Barbara and Kent.
Elder Stewart served a full-time mission in what was originally the Southern States Mission. During his time in Charleston, South Carolina, he met his future wife, Sylvia Mae Pace. Three years after his mission, the two got in touch with each other and began a telephone courtship, which ended in an engagement over the phone. Gene and Sylvia were married in the Salt Lake Temple on January 25, 1974. During their 50-year marriage, they welcomed three WONDERFUL boys into their home: Ashley Evan Stewart, Evan Collin Stewart, and Collin Berrett Stewart. Gene and Sylvia have been blessed with three DARLING AND LOVELY Granddaughters: Sabra, Anna, and Addison Stewart!
Gene always served faithfully and diligently in all of his Church callings. He loved serving the Lord and people in callings or responsibilities he received or for which he volunteered. Some of these were Bishopric member, High Council, Stake Mission President, Cub Master, various Clerks, Bass in Choir (Gene always had 100 % attendance every time his wife was the choir director.), Stake PFR, and Temple Preparation Class Instructor. One of his best-loved callings was when he and his wife served together (twice) as Sunbeam teachers.
Gene loved photographing Nature. Actually, photographing Anything. He loved and collected Trains, HO scale. He had fantastic plans for a marvelous train room! He also loved to travel and explore. He had dreams of travelling across the United States in a motorhome with his family. Gene was an all-round fun guy who loved playing games with family and friends. He will be so greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Gene worked as a Mechanical and Design Engineer for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 30+ years. He designed the heating and air conditioning and plumbing systems for meetinghouses and Temples. After retirement from Church employment, he went on to work for Van Boerum and Frank Associates doing the very same work he had been doing for the Church, which was now being outsourced to various firms.
Gene is survived by: his wife, Sylvia, sons Evan, wife Stephanie, and Collin, Granddaughters, Sabra, Anna, and Addison. Ashley's wife, Wendy. Brother Kent, and many other beloved family members.
Preceded in death by his son Ashley (as of Sept.2023), Father Lorenzo Graham, Mother Cleo Killpack Stewart, Guardian Dewey N. Stewart. Brothers Gary and Garth, and Sister Barbara Merrill.
*VIEWING TO BE HELD FRIDAY MAY 31ST AT HIS CHURCH BLDG. AT 7925 S. 2700 W. West Jordan, Utah FROM 6-8 PM
*VIEWING BEFORE FUNERAL ON SATURDAY JUNE 1ST FROM 10:30-11:30 AM AT SAME LOCATION
*FUNERAL JUNE 1ST AT 12 NOON AT SAME LOCATION
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