Born in the early days of the Great Depression, Donald James Stewart arrived on April 4, 1930, in Highland Park, Michigan. The fourth child of Carlton and Evelyn Stewart, Don joined his siblings, Carl, Marilyn and Shirley.

Carlton was an athletic man, a semi-pro baseball player, who supported his family with a long career as a facilities manager at Detroit Edison.  As was most common in those days, Evelyn was a stay-at-home mom and homemaker.  She was a gifted cook, an artist and an intellectual.  In addition to caring for their home, her husband and four lively children, Evelyn managed to be an avid reader.

Due to the requirements of Carlton's job, the family moved around Michigan several times.  This nurtured a sense of family and kept them all close to one another and their faith.  The two girls did an excellent job of looking after their baby brother. They would often have to coax him to eat because he was such a picky eater as a child. 

Despite the frequent moves, Don was able to make friends with the neighborhood children.  Some of those friendships lasted his entire life.  Don loved playing baseball and singing in the church choir – two passions that remained dear to him for a lifetime.

During his childhood summers, Don enjoyed spending time with his Aunt Ada and Uncle Sam Falls at their cottages on Spring Lake.  The kids loved boating on the lake, with each delighted to have their own row boat.  When not in Spring Lake or at home, Don loved to stay at Uncle Jim and Aunt Lillie Howe's farm in Alma, where the highlight was getting to drive the tractor. Their father always made a special point to attend all of the annual Stewart Family Reunions, a tradition Don carried on with his own family.

While attending Cooley High School in Detroit, Don became fast friends with Bob Alfather, Don McIntyre and Al Fletcher.  Don with his friends Don and Al recruited Ken Kausch to form his very first barbershop quartet.  Don also sang in his church choir and with numerous choruses and quartets throughout his high school years.  He also found time to play baseball, play the coronet and trumpet, and participate in student council before he graduated in 1948.

Upon graduation, Don enrolled at Wayne State University.  While at Wayne State, Don and his best buddies found that they didn't fit the mold of the traditional fraternity members, so they formed their own "fraternity" which they named TARA and enjoyed lifelong TARA reunions.  A couple years after his high school graduation, Don left the college scene behind and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force.  While in the service, Don and his friends would spend their free time by watching boxing matches.

It was on a leave from the Air Force that Don married his high school sweetheart, Margot Waters.  Don and Margot had met and started dating in high school, often attending dances and sporting events.  They were married in a beautiful ceremony at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Detroit on December 29, 1951.  Despite the snowy weather, the church was aglow with an abundance of lovely poinsettias. Because Don was only on a short leave, the newlyweds did not have the luxury of a honeymoon.  Margot accompanied Don to Colorado, where they made their first home in a basement apartment just off the base.

When Don was transferred to Illinois, they once again chose to live in off-base housing.  It was there that they welcomed their first child, Mark.  Don had attained the rank of Sergeant before he was honorably discharged from the service.  He brought his little family back to Michigan, where he obtained employment with Standard Accident Insurance.  Don even joined the company softball team.  Somehow, he also found time to attend night classes at Wayne State, where he finished his interrupted quest for a bachelors degree and went on to achieve his masters degree, too.

Daughter Karen joined the Stewart family shortly after their return to Michigan.  She was closely followed by Laura and Lon.  Several years later, the family was blessed with the arrival of little Donald.  Don and Margot moved their growing family to Farmington Hills.  Margot had her hands full with the children while Don pursued what became a 31-year career as an executive in Human Resources with the Chrysler Corporation.  Of course, he joined the company's softball league. 

The return to Michigan gave Don the opportunity to become closer to his brother Carl.  The two boys were eight years apart, which seem a lot when they were growing up, but once they were adults, the age separation seemed to melt away.  It was Carl who had influenced his little brother's great love of music.  As adults they bonded over shared careers in Human Resources and their musical pursuits.

Don and Margot’s family was fortunate to be surrounded by extended family while growing up, spending most weekends at Clark Lake and then on Long Lake. Regular church and Stewart Family Reunion participation also was important in their upbringing.  Don was a marvelous Dad.  He coached the children's Little League teams and attended as many of their meets and other events as he possibly could.  Having a naturally competitive nature himself, Don always encouraged his children to do their very best.

Vacations were an important part of the Stewart family life.  Physical activity was a big factor in those trips.  When the family went down to Florida, they would be sure to take along their tennis rackets.  Trips to Colorado during winter breaks from school meant that skiing was on their agenda.  When the children had grown and had families of their own, Don and Margot took them all on a most memorable Caribbean cruise.  There were three generations of Stewarts – 18 members in all – experiencing a marvelous time, catching up with one another and just enjoying each other's company.

After both Don and Margot retired, they became world travelers.  Their passports bore the evidence of their travels to Africa, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway, Mexico, the Middle East, Australia and many other exotic locations. 

Like his dear mother, Don was always an avid reader.  Having attended Michigan State for a semester before joining the service, he was also a big Spartan fan. Golf was another pastime that was dear to Don's heart. He was so proud of his hole-in-one, but not so proud of the time that he wrapped his club around a tree in a fit of frustration.

If you asked Don what the most important things in his life were, he would undoubtedly tell you that they were his beloved family, music and baseball.  He sang in the choir of the First Presbyterian Church of Farmington for an impressive 47 years.  He also served his church community as a ruling elder and Stephen Minister. Don's love of music – especially barbershop – manifested itself in his competition and participation in quartets and with the Detroit-Oakland Chapter as a 41-year member of the Barbershop Harmony Society (SPEBSQSA).

Don Stewart was a great life coach.  Throughout his career, he helped counsel his family and peers in their choices, often resulting in their career advancement.  He was a loving, patient, kind and supportive gentleman.  He was emotionally invested in whatever he did.  Don was a loving husband and a marvelous, supportive father and grandfather.  His legacy is his wonderful family.  He truly was the Patriarch of the Stewart family, a position that will be hard to fill in his absence. 

Donald James Stewart passed away on February 18, 2014.  He was 83 years old.  For 62 years, Donald had been the devoted husband of Margot.  He was the beloved father of Mark, Karen (Paul) Spica, Laura (the late Orrie Donley), Donald (Jessica Woll) and the late Lon (Katrina) and the proud grandfather of nine and great grandfather of two.  Donald was the brother of Marilyn (the late William) Laursen, Shirley Stewart and the late Carlton (Lou) and the brother-in-law of Mary (Harry and the late George "Ted" Waters) Peterson, Judy (the late Paul) Worona, the late Marlene (the late Arthur) Kilpatrick and the late Donald Waters.  He was also preceded in death by his parents Carlton and Evelyn and his in-laws George and Gladys Waters.

Family and friends may visit Sunday 2-8 PM at McCabe Funeral Home, 31950 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills.  In State will take place Monday from 10:00 AM until the funeral service at 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church of Farmington, 26165 Farmington Rd., Farmington Hills.

Memorial contributions may be made in Don's name to First Presbyterian Church of Farmington or Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation in his name.