James Stewart

James Frederick Stewart (Fred), beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, suddenly passed away peacefully due to TMB (too many birthdays) on July 2, 2025. He was born on September 18, 1939, in Chandler, Maricopa County, Arizona, to the late Melvin Frederick Stewart and the late Joan Hakes Stewart.

Fred was known for his unwavering faith, dedication to family, and strong work ethic. Throughout his life, he had a variety of jobs-including working at a lumber mill, paper mill, and as a butcher-before committing 37 years of dedicated service to the Snowflake Post Office. After retiring on November 1, 2001, he continued to serve his community as a school bus driver and custodian at the post office.

On August 23, 1962, Fred married his high school sweetheart, Sheila McCleve, in the Mesa Arizona Temple. Together, they built a legacy of faith and love.

He is survived by his loving wife Sheila and children: Valerie (Grant) Robertson (UT), Collins (Cameron) Stewart (UT), Keith (Angela) Stewart (UT), Jerry (Bea) Stewart (UT), Natalie (Justin) Tingey (UT), Jennifer (Mark) Murdock (UT), Melvin (Nicole) Stewart (AR), Amy Dalton (UT), and Jessica (Sean) Talley (UT), as well as his 45 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. Also sister Karen Thompson (the late Woody, AZ), and his brothers John Stewart (Laree, AZ) and Walter Stewart (Karen, UT)

Fred was deeply committed to his faith. He served as a missionary in the South Australian Mission from 1959 to 1961 and later in numerous church callings, including Scoutmaster, Bishop of the Snowflake 6th Ward, Stake High Councilor, Stake Executive Secretary, Financial Clerk, Temple Shift Coordinator, and Assistant Engineer. He and Sheila served faithfully in the Snowflake Temple for 9 years and later in the Brigham City Temple for 7 years. Most recently, they served a service mission at the Pioneer Care Facility Branch in Brigham City.

His civic contributions included serving on the Snowflake City Council and as Mayor, always striving to make his community a better place. He lived his life by the motto, "No matter what happens-good or bad-life goes on. You try to make the best of it," and he truly did.

One of Fred's unforgettable adventures was a cruise to Alaska with his brother- and sisters in-law.

If you know Fred you know he made everything more fun, from his Donald Duck voice to his "four wheeler" walker. From being an emcee at ward parties to telling jokes and singing Happy Birthday on his KVSL morning radio show.

Fred leaves behind a legacy of faith, resilience, service, and love. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but remembered with great fondness and admiration.

"We are here to prove ourselves to our Father in Heaven and to make the best of what we can with what we are given." - James F. Stewart

Friends may visit with family on Monday, July 7, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Aarons Mortuary, 888 South Main, Brigham City, UT. Funeral services will be held in Arizona on Monday July 14, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the Main Street Stake Center, 48 N Main, Snowflake AZ. A viewing will be held at the church on Sunday July 13, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and on Monday from 9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. prior to the service.

Interment will be in the R.V. Mike Ramsay Memorial Cemetery, Snowflake, Arizona.