Richard Olin "Dick" Stewart, 93, of Denton, died Monday, November 16, 2015 at Denton Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.
Mr. Stewart was born on June 14, 1922 in New Philadelphia, OH to Walter Kenna and Florence Margaret (Newton) Stewart. He was married to Susanne Sharp on February 10, 1946 in Oklahoma City, OK. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from UCLA. He retired as a Colonel from the United States Air Force after serving as a fighter pilot in WWII; flying in Korea and flying supplies in Vietnam; receiving numerous decorations.. He flew as a pilot for American Airlines for thirty-six years.
Dick was always of service to his community and absolutely loved Denton. He was the Denton County Chairman of the Republican Party from 1964 to 1972; flew Vice President Spiro Agnew during his 1969 campaign; served as the Mayor of Denton from 1980 to 1986; received the Paul Harris Fellow Rotary International Award; a life member of the Optimist International; past Governor of North Texas Optimist District; a life member of the American Legion, VFW, Air Force Association and Reserve Officer's Association; past Commander of the American Legion Post 71; past President of the Girl Scouts Council; past President of Big Brothers and Big Sisters; past President of the Texas Municipal Power Agency; past President of the Texas Public Power Association; was on the board of directors of the Denton Chamber of Commerce; past President of the RSVP Advisory Council.
Dick is survived by his wife, Susanne Stewart of Denton; children, Richard O. "Buddy" Stewart, Jr. of Vancouver, WA, Barbara Lois Crandall of Sanger, Allen Kenna Stewart of Duluth, GA, Laura Susanne Shortridge of Albion, NY; nineteen grandchildren; forty-three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Spencer Crandall and sisters, Lois Isbell Schoeborn and Evelyn Jean Hight.
A visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday, November 20, 2015 at the funeral home. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, November 21, 2015 in the chapel of Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home, 705 N. Locust, Denton, TX. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park, Denton.
Memorials may be made to Big Brothers and Big Sisters; Girls Scouts or the Boy Scouts.