Clarence Eugene "Gene" Stewart..... Age 79

Memorials: St. Jude Children's Hospital, Down Syndrome Guild or the American Heart Association

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On Sunday, January 5, 2020, Clarence Eugene “Gene” Stewart passed away at the age of 79. Throughout his life he built, cultivated and nurtured many roles in his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, father-in-law, brother, and friend. He was known for his quick wit, hilarious stories, and kind and compassionate spirit.

Gene was born on November 1, 1940, in Bakersfield, California, to Hally and Marie Stewart, and was the oldest of five children. After Pearl Harbor, Hally and Marie moved their family to Kansas and Gene grew up on a farm near Xenia. He loved to tell stories about growing up on the farm with his brothers and sisters. He attended Xenia Elementary School with his cousin Don Northway and only one other student, then attended and graduated from Blue Mound High School where he played football and ran track.

In 1958, he moved to Osawatomie and began his 40-year career as a Licensed Mental Health Technician at the Osawatomie State Hospital. There he met Harriett Jordan and the two were married on July 10, 1960. Together they had three children, Pam, Becky and Jeff. Due to the strain of working so much, their marriage ended in divorce. Gene then met Carolyn Schlesener at the hospital and the two were married on February 10, 1972. Together they had one daughter, Coleen. Gene and Carol had many happy years together. They raised their children in Osawatomie and were married until Carol passed away on June 15, 1995. In an incredible twist of fate, Gene and Harriett re-married on May 22, 1999. Their second marriage was full of love and devotion to family, church, and traveling. He was also a devout Christian who attended Faith Baptist Church and loved his church family.

Gene had a passion for sports and coaching. He was one of the original founders of the Osawatomie Recreation Commission in 1980 and spent 14 years serving on the Recreation Board before retiring from his volunteer position in 1994. His impact on youth sports in Osawatomie is felt to this day. After retiring from the State Hospital, he learned to play golf and a new love began. He played golf as often as possible with his family and his “golfing buddies” at the Osawatomie Golf Course. He was also passionate about the Kansas Jayhawk basketball team and the Kansas City Chiefs. He rarely missed a game when the Jayhawks or the Chiefs were playing.

As much as he loved sports, nothing could hold a candle to the love he felt for his family. In 2018, he wrote, “I am amazed that I have lived this long but have enjoyed every minute of it. I have watched my grandchildren grow up to be adults and have children of their own. No person could be so lucky as I am to have the family that I have. My children, grandchildren, their spouses and great-grandchildren are all beautiful people and that makes me so proud.”

Gene is preceded in death by his father Hally, his mother Marie, his brother Larry and his second wife Carol. He is survived by his wife Harriett, his four children and their spouses; Pam and Monte Draper, Becky and Clint Randall, Jeff Stewart, and Coleen and Marvin Williams; his sisters Alberta Herring and Rita Bridgeford, and his brother Stan and wife Nancy Stewart.

He also leaves behind several grandchildren; Eric and Jessica Draper, Megan and Kyle Lewis, Blake and Lacey Draper, Amanda and Nathanial McGee, Rusty Randall, Jessica and Blane Kerr, Victoria Stewart and spouse Matt Jones, Nathan Stewart, Grace Stewart, Anna Stewart and Elaine Williams.

Great-grandchildren include; Stratton, Nora and Maizy Draper, Easton Lewis, Lilly-Jo and Barrett Draper, Elliette-Jo McGee, Aubrey Randall and Olivia Palomares, Brody and Ava Kerr, Olivia Stewart, Pia Jones, Nora Stewart and Amelia Garrett.