Michael Joe Stewart

LAKE ARTHUR

Michael Joe Stewart was born on May 23, 1942, on his father’s 42 birthday.  They were both always proud of that.  He was born and raised in and around Brawley, CA.  He graduated from Brawley High School in 1961. 

A Memorial Service will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Lake Arthur on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at 3:00 P.M.

In 1962, at 19, he began a 39 year career with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  He started at Salton Sea (now Sonny Bono) National Wildlife Refuge in the California Imperial Valley.  He was at Delta National Wildlife Refuge, at the mouth of the Mississippi River, for several years.  He transferred to Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge in 1968.  He remained there until his retirement in 1999.  He retired as Maintenance Mechanic Leader and had also served as a Federal Wildlife Enforcement Officer.  After retirement, we worked as a leisure driver for Enterprise Car Rentals for 10 years.

He loved the water and the outdoors and belonged to the Lake Arthur Yacht Club.  Traveling was another joy; boat, motorcycle, or car, it didn’t matter.  A cruise to Alaska, several trips to the Pacific Northwest, many trips back to California, trips to Texas to visit family and rediscover his family’s roots, trips to New Mexico and Arizona to visit family and enjoy the scenery.  If the car was going, he wanted to be driving it or in it!!  He also loved going on motorcycle rides with his sons in the country too.

He was a member of the Lake Arthur First United Methodist Church.  He loved music, played the guitar, and sang in the church choir.  He loved to paint and to video.  Combining his love of music, the church and videoing, he taped Coalition Choir several times.

Mr. Stewart died at 9:52 a.m. on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 in the Jeff Davis Living Center.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jeanette Henson Stewart; one daughter, Marianne (Bart) Rodriquez of Jennings, LA, and their children, Daniel (Katie), Seth, Joseph, Madelyn, Evelyn, and Isaac; two sons: Ganer (Anu Sharma and daughter, Gujri) of Carpinteria, CA; and, Alex (Megan) and their daughter, Harper, of Lake Arthur and Alex’s two sons, Sebastian and Quentin, of Lake Charles; one sister, Una Vee White of Las Cruces, NM; his sister-in-law, Peggy (David) Ramirez; brother-in-law, Sam Henson of Iowa, LA; grandchildren of the heart, Colt, Sabrina, Ace John, and Caleb and Juliet Baronet; 6 nieces and one nephew; 3 great-grandchildren; and his beloved dog, Jolie.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Ellen Stewart; a daughter, Susan Jane; two brothers, Gerald and Stanley; and his brother-in-law, James White.

Memorials may be sent to the Lake Arthur First United Methodist Church or to UMCOR, through the Methodist Church.  UMCOR was a special charity to Mike.  It in an international disaster relief organization.  They are known for being the first responders to major disaster (natural and man-made) and the last to leave, often after years.