Milton Stewart

   Milton Royal Stewart was born on January 22, 1922 to Zella and LeRoy Stewart in Santa Ana. He
was the youngest of eight children and highly honored as the only son of LeRoy Stewart in their blended family.

   Milton was idolized by his father and it soon became apparent he was highly intelligent and gifted in designing, creating and maintaining nearly anything, as was his father.

   Milt, as he is known by his many, many friends, has lived in California all of his life except for his US Navy tour during WWII.

   Milton married Margie Lee Buck on September 1, 1941 and the USA soon was at war with Japan as the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.

    With no hesitation, Milton immediately enlisted in the Navy on Dec. 8th. He  was an aviation flight engineer second class on a PBM 5.

   They flew many missions over the Pacific, watchfully searching for any sign of enemy action.  His plane was the first to tie up at Pearl Harbor once the war was declared over.

   What a day that was!  He served in hopes that his children and granchildren would never be assailed with war against the USA again.

   Later he lamented the Viet Nam war and the fact that the service of his entire generation did not stop the fighting.

   He had many close friends and relatives who he  lost in WWII, but never resented his service.  He felt it was his duty to help in any way he could.

   Milt Stewart had numerous jobs during his liefetime and loved to work.  He built ships in the shipyards of Southern California scrap operation.

  He worked in retail, wholesale and spent 8 years in full time ministry with his wife Margie, as the grounds managers at a Christian conference in Sonoma County.

   He had his own maintenance business for many years and most recently he served as a rural route carrier in Calaveras County for 20 years.

   At the age of 88 he retired. The topic of his conversation from there on out was "I need to get a job.  Retirement isn't what it's cracked up to be." And he was serious.

   Milton's passion in life was helping people. If anyone had a need and he was able to help he would do so.

   He is "Dad and Grandpa" to many who are not blood relatives.  He always made himself available to show and give love and respect to people.

   Friends of his children, neighbors and even acquaintances often found themselves at Milt's house, seeking his love, care and guidance as they had no father to speak of.

   Milt was preceded in death by a son, Thomas Milton who died at birth.  His first wife, Margie Lee Buck Stewart, the mother of his three children, passed away in 2011.

   Milt was the best father a child could ever want.  His 2 daughters were often the envy of friends and loved ones because of their great Dad.

   He always encouraged them to study hard, practice their music lessons, to be the best they could be. He also persuaded them to be whatever they wanted to be in life.

   When the girls were growing up he built the several different playhouses, 2 custom bikes, stilts, one of the first skateboards in the south Bay Area, a toy candle powered boat and a toy windpowered sailboat.

   These custom toys were the envy of all the children in the neighborhood.  when his daughters began dating, Milt made it his practice to always make his presence known at the end of the date.

   Most would end in the young man being invited into the living room to watch some television and Milt would appear in his knee length, brown terrycloth robe, white legs and all, with a humungous bowl of cereal in his right hand!

   He smiled at the young man, then sat with the couple and crunched away.  In his quiet (and humorous) way he was demanding respect for his daughter.

   Somehow, his daughters never caught on that this would always be his practice!

   Milton is survived by his wife Beverly Ann Stewart, of West Point, children Carol Stewart McDonald (Gary) of Santa Rosa, Rebecca Lou Stewart Wynia (Virgil) of Santa Rosa, 3 grandchildren, Gary McDonald, Jr, Chelsea Wynia Sterling and Courtney Wynia Roser and 6 great-grandchildren Lydalee McDonald, Emily McDonald, Andrew Jackson, Veda Roser, Cadence Roser and Hattie Roser.

   His grandchildren and great-grandchildren live in Northern California and Oregon.  He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews living in southern California and Arizona.

   In addition to his family listed he is furvived by his extended family, the many oved ones of Calaveras County whom he came to know and love in the 22 plus years he loved there.

   The people of this region loved Milt as their own and faithfully visited when he was hospitalized in Sacramento and also at Martinez, driving hours and hours and giving of their time and love for him again and again.

       The family extends heartfelt thanks to these precious friends for their generosity of spirit and extended hands to our loving husband, father and grandfather.

    The family also extends genuine gratitude for the excellent service Milt received while at the VA at Mather previously and just prior to his home going, the VA Martinez.

   The staff and volunteers of this facility provided our husband, father and grandfather with the best possible medical treatment and superior care.

    We are forever grateful for their compassion and support.

    And finally, Milt's children and grandchildren will be eternally grateful to Beverly, Milt's wife, for her tireless and loving care of Milt in the past 7 years.

    The past 2 years were probably the most difficult as she took complete care of his every need and wish. She is nothing less than remarkable, a true hero.