Jack Bates Stewart

Jack Bates Stewart, Col. US Army, Retired, passed away on Sunday, October 12, 2014 at the age of 96. Mr. Stewart was born March 16, 1918, in Etowah, TN. He was a graduate of Etowah High School. After High School, he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee in 1941. Upon graduation, Mr. Stewart accepted a full commission into the Army as a second lieutenant. Mr. Stewart served in the US Army Signal Corp during World War II as part of the campaign in North Africa and Italy, where he was awarded the Bronze Star. In addition to his military service, Mr. Stewart was employed by ALOCA where he worked at various plants including Alcoa, TN; Massena, NY; Lafayette, IN; Davenport, IA and Pittsburgh, PA. Jack retired from ALCOA in 1981. Mr. Stewart was preceded in death by his parents Veda Bates Stewart and Fred Stewart, Sr.; his daughter Sandra Kay Stewart Murphy, his brother Fred Stewart, Jr.; and sister Temple James. He is survived by his wife Kathleen Bach Stewart (married 72 years), granddaughter Melisa Murphy Rotton and husband Jeffrey; great-granddaughter Kaitlyn Murphy Rotton and great-grandson Preston Stewart Connor Rotton. He is also survived by nieces Nancy Dee Moates (husband Jerry), Elizabeth Palhans (husband Jim), Mary Pat Pickard (husband Roger), and nephews Jack Cantrell, Steve James and Wes James. Mr. Stewart loved music and played the violin with The Orchestra at Maryville College (formally MACCO) and at First United Methodist Church. As a member of "The Turkeys", a collection of musicians, he enjoyed playing for a variety of groups. Mr. Stewart, better known to family as Grandpa Jack, enjoyed playing the violin with his great-grandchildren Kaitlyn (piano) and Preston (guitar) whenever possible. Receiving of Friends to be held between 1:30pm 2:30pm on Thursday, October 16 at First United Methodist Church, Maryville. Services immediately following with Rev. Catherine Nance officiating. Graveside services will follow at Grandview Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Stewart requests that donations be made either to the Maryville High School Foundation for the Sandra Murphy Music Scholarship or First United Methodist Church. McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home, Maryville 982-6812 www.mccammonammonsclick.com