David Keith Stewart peacefully passed from this life on December 13, 2019 surrounded by family and friends after a brave battle with Multiple Myeloma.

Dave was born on October 17, 1953 on an Army base in Frankfurt, Germany to Lt. Col. Keith Stewart and Joan (Whittenburg) Stewart. After Germany, the family lived for a time in Chitose, Japan before settling in Annandale, Virginia where Lt. Col. Stewart worked for the National Security Agency until his sudden passing in 1966.

Following the death of her husband, Joan moved her two sons, Jeb and Dave to Marshfield, MO to be closer to her family. Dave spent his summers working on his grandparent's farm, roaming the local woods, and fishing for catfish in the local farm ponds. Dave had an exceptionally close relationship with his grandparents whom he called "Mom" and "Pop" as well as his uncle Jim who taught him to drive the old farm truck and how to play pool at the local billiards hall.

Dave graduated from Marshfield High School in 1971 and that is when the real fun began. Dave began attending college at Southwest Missouri State where he joined the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and began to develop lifelong friendships and brotherhoods. The usual, and at times unusual, 1970's-style fraternity antics ensued and there are endless tales and legends to be told. PKA remained a very large and important part of his life, and he was very involved in bringing the current PKA chapter back to what is now Missouri State University.

It was at SMS that Dave met his wonderful wife, Jane Hammett. They were married on October 16, 1974 and were blessed with two children; Kelley in 1979 and Ryan in 1986. After college Dave was a pharmaceutical rep at Berlex for many years and then transitioned into the insurance industry where he specialized in Medicare services.

Dave was an avid outdoorsman and you could always find him in a canoe with a fishing pole in his hand. He loved floating and the family spent countless days on local creeks, floating, swimming, and fishing. He traveled around the US and to Canada often and the annual Canada fishing trip with his friends and son was a highlight of his life. Whitewater rafting was another passion of his, and he spent a lot of time on the big rivers in Colorado and Utah. There were literally countless hikes, floating and camping trips.

In the later years of his life Dave enjoyed spending days and evenings sitting on his back deck holding "court" with his many friends, his kids, and his grandkids.

Even after receiving his cancer diagnosis, Dave continued to do the things he loved and on his own terms. His last year of life was spent fishing and floating with friends and family, deep sea fishing off of Vancouver Island, and whitewater rafting down the Green River through Wyoming and Utah.

Dave was a very bright light, and he naturally drew people to him. He had a very big personality and a big, loud voice to go along with it. His wit and humor were unmatched, and he leaves a legacy of happiness and laughter. He will be greatly missed by many people but will remain in our hearts and minds always.

Dave was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Jane; his mother and father, Keith and Joan; his brother, Jeb; and numerous friends who like himself, were gone too soon.

Dave is survived by his two children, daughter, Kelley Bolton; son Ryan Stewart and his wife Ashley; four grandchildren, Max, Mackenzie, Ben, and Gavin; two nephews, Matt and Chip Stewart; and a massive host of friends who meant so much to him over the years.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, January 4th at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home (1947 E. Seminole) beginning at 4pm. A "happy hour" reception will follow at the Elks Lodge located at 2223 E. Bennett Street. Dave would want everyone to be comfortable and casual so anyone in a suit could be turned away at the door. Come ready to laugh and tell stories and to celebrate a life well lived.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in Dave's name to the James River Basin Partnership by going to jamesriverbasin.com .

Rest well weary soldier.