Obituary for Dr. James A. Stewart, Jr.
Derby - Stewart, James Alonzo, Jr.,
75, passed away Sunday, April 23rd, 2023. He was born June 12th, 1947 to James Alonzo Stewart, Sr. and Ruth Blevins Stewart in Wichita, Kansas.
Following graduation from South High, Wichita, KS in 1965. Jim attended Wichita State University. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in History in 1970, then went on to earn a Masters in History in 1973. He completed his education by earning a PhD from The University of Edinburgh, Scotland.
Dr. Stewart was a valued member of the Hong Kong Baptist University Department of History where he taught from 1983 to 2007. He was a versatile teacher, instructing on a wide array of subjects such as Scottish history, the history of Western Civilization, modern European history, and international relations, among others. An accomplished scholar, he frequently presented papers and published with the Harvard Celtic Colloquium. His work contributed significantly to the field of Celtic studies. As an educator, Dr. Stewart was knowledgeable, approachable, and supportive of his students. As a colleague, he was pleasant, friendly, and exhibited integrity in all his interactions. He was always ready to lend his expertise to both the Department and students whenever called upon. His teaching had an impact upon generations of students.
After returning to his hometown Wichita in 2008, he taught a class on the Holocaust at Wichita State University as a part-time professor for a few years. A special and unique group of friends came together during their high school and college lives, providing a wonderful connectivity for Jim through his entire life and included life with his wife in Wichita. These buddies and their spouses form the “Friday Night Friends” group and consider one another the very best of friends!
He loved Martial Arts and practiced Taekwondo when he was young along with his brother, Rod. His favorite moment during practice was when he was sparring with Rod. While practicing Taekwondo, he loved to play Rolling Stones--very loud! When he had a chance to study in Edinburgh for his PhD in Scottish History, he brought his Taekwondo knowledge and started to teach Taekwondo for 7 years. After he graduated, he got a job in Hong Kong and started to practice Tai Chi.
He also loved to travel, living in 8 countries and visiting many others. Hong Kong was home for 24 years, where he met his wife, Bonita, and started his new adventure.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Alonzo Stewart, Sr. and Ruth Blevins Stewart; mother-in-law, Wong Yuet.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Bonita; loving brother and life-long best friend, Rod Stewart (Gerri); nephew, Duncan Stewart, nieces, Staci Cabral (Dominik), Catriona Chan, Tara Chan; great-nephew, Cameron Cabral; sister-in-law, Joan Castillo (Juan); brother-in-law, Martin Chan (Susanna); sister-in-law, Amy Chan; father-in-law, Chan Kwan Sang; and many, many loving family, friends, students, and university colleagues.
Visitation: Saturday, April 29th, 2023, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Culbertson-Smith Mortuary, 115 South Seneca, Wichita, Kansas. Graveside Service: 2:00 pm, Saturday, April 29th, 2023, at White Chapel Memorial Gardens, 1806 N. Oliver Wichita, Kansas.
To further honor his legacy, the HKBU History Department and the Stewart family are calling for donations to establish the “Dr James. A. Stewart Jr. Memorial Scholarship.” We hope that by establishing this scholarship, Dr Stewart’s invaluable contributions will continue to be recognized and his memory preserved.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Bonita (6517 S Cedardale Ave, Derby Ks 67037) so that she can forward them to Hong Kong Baptist University.
75, passed away Sunday, April 23rd, 2023. He was born June 12th, 1947 to James Alonzo Stewart, Sr. and Ruth Blevins Stewart in Wichita, Kansas.
Following graduation from South High, Wichita, KS in 1965. Jim attended Wichita State University. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in History in 1970, then went on to earn a Masters in History in 1973. He completed his education by earning a PhD from The University of Edinburgh, Scotland.
Dr. Stewart was a valued member of the Hong Kong Baptist University Department of History where he taught from 1983 to 2007. He was a versatile teacher, instructing on a wide array of subjects such as Scottish history, the history of Western Civilization, modern European history, and international relations, among others. An accomplished scholar, he frequently presented papers and published with the Harvard Celtic Colloquium. His work contributed significantly to the field of Celtic studies. As an educator, Dr. Stewart was knowledgeable, approachable, and supportive of his students. As a colleague, he was pleasant, friendly, and exhibited integrity in all his interactions. He was always ready to lend his expertise to both the Department and students whenever called upon. His teaching had an impact upon generations of students.
After returning to his hometown Wichita in 2008, he taught a class on the Holocaust at Wichita State University as a part-time professor for a few years. A special and unique group of friends came together during their high school and college lives, providing a wonderful connectivity for Jim through his entire life and included life with his wife in Wichita. These buddies and their spouses form the “Friday Night Friends” group and consider one another the very best of friends!
He loved Martial Arts and practiced Taekwondo when he was young along with his brother, Rod. His favorite moment during practice was when he was sparring with Rod. While practicing Taekwondo, he loved to play Rolling Stones--very loud! When he had a chance to study in Edinburgh for his PhD in Scottish History, he brought his Taekwondo knowledge and started to teach Taekwondo for 7 years. After he graduated, he got a job in Hong Kong and started to practice Tai Chi.
He also loved to travel, living in 8 countries and visiting many others. Hong Kong was home for 24 years, where he met his wife, Bonita, and started his new adventure.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Alonzo Stewart, Sr. and Ruth Blevins Stewart; mother-in-law, Wong Yuet.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Bonita; loving brother and life-long best friend, Rod Stewart (Gerri); nephew, Duncan Stewart, nieces, Staci Cabral (Dominik), Catriona Chan, Tara Chan; great-nephew, Cameron Cabral; sister-in-law, Joan Castillo (Juan); brother-in-law, Martin Chan (Susanna); sister-in-law, Amy Chan; father-in-law, Chan Kwan Sang; and many, many loving family, friends, students, and university colleagues.
Visitation: Saturday, April 29th, 2023, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Culbertson-Smith Mortuary, 115 South Seneca, Wichita, Kansas. Graveside Service: 2:00 pm, Saturday, April 29th, 2023, at White Chapel Memorial Gardens, 1806 N. Oliver Wichita, Kansas.
To further honor his legacy, the HKBU History Department and the Stewart family are calling for donations to establish the “Dr James. A. Stewart Jr. Memorial Scholarship.” We hope that by establishing this scholarship, Dr Stewart’s invaluable contributions will continue to be recognized and his memory preserved.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Bonita (6517 S Cedardale Ave, Derby Ks 67037) so that she can forward them to Hong Kong Baptist University.