Gary "Reggie" Stewart

CLICK HERE TO WATCH REGGIE'S MEMORIAL SERVICE

     Gary Lee Stewart was born on November 1, 1946, to O.T. and Johnnie Lee (Carter) Stewart outside of Fayetteville, Arkansas in the small town of Prairie Grove. He grew up on a farm in the Fayetteville area until the family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1957. Gary graduated from Will Rogers High School in Tulsa and moved back to Fayetteville to attend the University of Arkansas. After attaining his degree in Finance, Gary was commissioned a 2^nd Lieutenant in the USAF and reported to Moody AFB, Georgia for pilot training. He pinned on his pilot wings in July 1970 and volunteered for combat duty in Viet Nam. He spent a year in Viet Nam flying over 200 combat mission in the EC-47. While in Viet Nam, Gary was given the nickname of “Reggie” and it would stick with him for the rest of his life. His next assignment was to fly the RC-135 strategic reconnaissance aircraft from Offutt AFB, Omaha, Nebraska. Other assignments included Eielson AFB Alaska and Plattsburg AFB New York. He was deployed to many locations including England, Greece, Kadena, and Saudi Arabia to name a few. Reggie retired as a Colonel in 1994 having flown over 12,000 hours. His many decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, The Bronze Star, The Legion of Merit, 24 Air Medals and 2 Presidential Citations. After his Air Force retirement, he was hired as the Chief Operating Officer of FBG Service Corporation, Facilities Mainenance Services Division in Omaha and moved to Woodbine, Iowa in 2000. He retired from FBG in November 2016.

     Reggie attended the Woodbine First United Methodist Church. He was a member of the American Legion Post 143, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Daedalians and Quiet Birdmen. Reggie enjoyed hunting and even went on expeditions to Africa ten times. He could often be found outdoors tending his orchard, working in the garden or caring for his flock of hens. Reggie donated 6 to 8 dozen eggs per week to the food pantry. 

     Reggie died at his home outside of Woodbine on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at the age of 77 years, six months and 21 days. 

     Reggie was preceded in death by his parents: mother, Johnnie Lee Stewart, stepmother, Anna Mae Stewart and father, O.T. Stewart. He is survived by his son, Gary Todd Stewart of Dayton, Ohio; daughter, Jenna “Ginny Lynn” Stewart of Bellevue, Nebraska; brothers, Sammy Dee Stewart and Craig Wyatt Stewart both of Tulsa, Oklahoma; former spouse, Ginger Stewart of Tulsa; as well as many other relatives and friends.