Leland “Don” Stewart, born Nov. 30, 1956, in Warrensburg, died June 30, after a two-year battle with cancer.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, July 7, at 2 p.m. at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home, with Dr. Sam Cox and Pastor Lenny Carver officiating.
Interment will be in Liberty Baptist Cemetery north of Warrensburg. Pallbearers will be Bill Calhoun, Tony Shackelford, Tom Bayless, Roy Lee White, Todd Hook and Andrew White.
Family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, July 6, at the funeral home.
He is survived by his son John Henry and wife Christina, granddaughter Kennedy and grandson Keller, of Cleveland, Missouri; mother, Marlene of Warrensburg; brother Edward and wife Karen of Windsor, Missouri; brother Scott and wife Stephanie, of Holden, Missouri; four nieces, Stephanie Graham, Kristie Kovalenko, Shelby Stewart and Sydnie Stewart; and friend, Sandy Kueffer. He was preceded in death by his father Leland Rice Stewart on March 30, 2009.
Don had a huge heart, which was open at all times to family, friends and any soul who needed a friend. He was a Christian who looked forward to meeting face-to-face with Christ his Lord and God his Father, as well as those family members who had gone before him.
Don graduated from University High School in the class of 1975, and much like his father, had gathered all the formal education he needed and took out west to seek his fortune. His first stop was in Tribune, Kansas, where he worked for a farmer for two years. He then headed back to Missouri and worked for a well driller, a rough-in crew and the family farm.
Then, he and Doug Siegfried took off for Alaska. After seven years in Alaska, Don came back to the family farm until his death. He had many adventures and created many memories for himself, family, and friends.
He was strong of body, mind and spirit. He was stubborn, loving and kind. He lived a simple life and held no one above him but all equal to him. Don was a farmer at heart, and an artist of sorts when it came to his construction work, having built multiple homes, sheds, pieces of furniture, remodeling of his own home and other projects.
While in Alaska, he enjoyed the outdoors, camping, hunting and fishing. He lived on the family farm and worked at EnerSys, Manufacturing for 21 years until his death.
He was good with who he was, what he had done, where he was going and proud of his family; especially John, Chris, Kennedy and Keller.
Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Childrens Mercy Hospital and checks may be left in care of the funeral home.