Charles Dewitt Stewart passed away on July 4, 2026, at Ozark Healthcare in West Plains, Missouri, at the age of 85. He was born on July 7, 1940, in N. Wilkesboro, North Carolina, to James M. and Cornelia (Peoples) Stewart.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Cornelia Stewart; his brothers, Fred E. Stewart and James M. Stewart; and his grandparents.

He is survived by his son, Charles D. Stewart II and his wife, April of Murfreesboro, TN; his stepson, Robert John Thompson III of Missouri; his granddaughter, Trenyah Martin (Jayven) of Tennessee; his nephews, Scott Stewart and Michael Stewart of Florida; and his sister-in-law/traveling buddy, Melanie Stewart of Eminence, MO.

Charles moved to Eminence in 2001 from Machias, Maine, after a long career in the Navy and Naval Civil Service. He joined the Navy on February 10, 1958, and retired on January 31, 1985. He worked on base in Maine as an office Technician from 1986 to 2001. He would take trips with Melanie to the Adirondacks in Upstate New York, then visit Massena, New York, on the St. Lawrence Seaway. There, he was aboard the first Navy ship, USS Macon (CA132), to transit the St. Lawrence Seaway as part of Task Force 47, a 28-ship detachment of the US Atlantic Fleet, in 1959. He was always excited to stop, see ships going through, and see the historic displays. He was on a ship off the coast of Vietnam during the war and later in submarines around the world, spending time in Saudi Arabia and other ports.

He will be remembered for his kindness, his smile, his stories, and his laughter. He was always ready to meet Jim at Margie's Place in the afternoon and visit with friends, or take off to Oaklawn (Hot Springs) and Fairmount Park (St. Louis) horse tracks, or travel to Florida and central New York, visiting Melanie's family and friends. On weekends, he liked to watch football or horse and NASCAR races after mowing the lawn.

A Celebration of Life will be held later in Eminence. Arrangements were under the direction of Yarber Mortuary, Eminence, Missouri.