In memory of Jack Delbert Stewart II

by Colin Zachary Allred

Mr. Speaker, on September 2, 2023, Jack Delbert Stewart II, died peacefully at his home in Denton, Texas at the age of 88. He was born on July 6, 1935, in Ennis, Texas, to the late Jack Delbert and Dora Ellen (Johnson) Stewart. He graduated from Ennis High School in 1953 and Abilene Christian College in 1957. During his summer breaks, he and some friends worked for the U.S. Forest Service backing up the Hot Shot teams fighting wildfires out of Coeur D'Alene, Idaho.

In 1958, a roommate set Jack up on a blind date with Jean Pogue. They went to the King and I at the State Fair. After a two-year courtship, they were married on January 23, 1960.

Jack served for six years in the 49th Armored Division of the Texas National Guard, which was mobilized in April of 1961 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. They spent one year stationed at Fort Polk in Leesville, Louisiana.

Jack and Jean returned to Dallas where he worked for Industrial Indemnity Insurance until he was transferred to Beaumont. In 1970, they moved to San Antonio to work with SP Personnel Associates. He was a member of the MacArthur Park Church of Christ where he was active in church leadership, serving as both a Deacon and an Elder. He also served on the founding board of Christian Heritage Schools.

In 1992, they moved to Abilene for Jack to be the director of the Career Center at Abilene Christian University. There he helped students prepare for life after college, including helping to counsel them on career next steps as well as resume writing, interviewing skills, choosing the right majors, and setting up job fairs and job interviews. Of all the careers he had, this was his favorite because he loved working with the students and helping to put them on a path to success. He was an active member of Hillcrest Church of Christ and served as an Elder.

Jack always had a servant's heart, and he volunteered frequently at the food pantry in Abilene. A committed family man who always wanted everyone to be together, Jack and Jean fulfilled a dream of buying a cabin in Angel Fire, New Mexico where they shared many wonderful memories with their friends and family. He was also a lifelong Dallas Cowboys and San Antonio Spurs fan. He rarely missed a game and loved to talk sports, including the latest on his ACU Wildcats. In April of 2021, Jack and Jean moved to Denton to be closer to family and UT Southwestern.

He is survived by his wife Jean of 63 years and their children, Jeff, Jay, and Jill. Jack was blessed with seven grandchildren who knew him as Papa, including Joshua Stewart, Jackson Stewart, Meghan Tapia, Morgan O'Connell, Jamie Barber, Clarke Bartholomew and Grant Dowdy. Papa was also a great-grandfather to Grace and Evelyn O'Connell, Elliot Stewart, and Willow Tapia. He was known as Apple Jack to his nephew Todd and nieces Tracy and Taylor.

He was preceded in death by his brother Michael G. Stewart and wife Barbara.