James "Jim" Edward Stewart, Jr.

James “Jim” Edward Stewart Jr., 83, of Arkansas City, KS passed away at his home surrounded by his family on Memorial Day, May 31, 2021.

Graveside services will be held at 10 A.M. Saturday, June 5th at Hope Cemetery in Arkansas City. Memorial contributions may be made to VFW Post 18, donations may be left in care of the Shelley Family Funeral Home of Arkansas City.

Jim was born on October 4, 1937 to parents James E. and Hazel (Peters) Stewart in Gary, Indiana. The family moved to Arkansas City where Jim graduated from high school in 1958. After high school Jim was drafted into the Army, in 1962 he started working at a packing house until returning to college in 1967. On August 9. 1966 Jim married the love of his life Bessie Fisher in Ark City. Jim also worked for the Arkansas City Fire Department and later attended Wichita State University. After college, Jim ran the “Big Blue Bar” and later “Jim’s Place”. After it closed he started working in construction across Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. He then moved mobile homes for a few years before starting work as a rural postal carrier for the Winfield post office, from which he retired. Jim enjoyed gardening, especially tomatoes; old cars and old music, watching football and being with family.

Jim is survived by his wife Bessie of Arkansas City, KS; son James “Randy” Stewart of Arkansas City, KS, son Michael Lynn Stewart of Silverdale, KS, and daughter Denise Elaine Squires of Arkansas City, KS; grandchildren: Dakota Lynn Stewart, Devin Scott Stewart, Aidan James Squires, Katelynn Elizabeth Squires, Bentley Ray Squires, Hazel Raine Martin and Everlee Grace Squires; brothers Jon Randolf Stewart and Donald Eugene Stewart.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents and sister Janice Elaine Battikha.

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