Gordon Albert Stewart

1926 - 2016

Gordon Albert Stewart obituary, 1926-2016, Sioux Falls, SD

BORN

1926

DIED

2016

FUNERAL HOME

Miller Funeral Home - Downtown

507 S. Main Avenue

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Gordon Stewart Obituary

Gordon Albert Stewart

Gordon Albert Stewart, age 90, was released to his heavenly home on Sunday, August 28, 2016 after a brief illness. Visitation will be Thursday, September 1st, at Miller Funeral Home from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. and a memorial service will be held on Friday, September 2nd, at First Baptist Church in Sioux Falls at 1:00 p.m.

Born March 22, 1926, Gordon was the oldest of five children born to A.O. and Lillian Stewart in Norbeck, SD. A.O. and Lillian had a small farm there where they raised their family. Through the challenges of the Great Depression, siblings David, Betty, Vonnie and Roger spent their youth learning the value of hard work, discipline and faith in God. A.O. taught his children by giving them the opportunity to choose their path.

At the age of 13, Gordon earned a lamb for a summer of farm work and had the choice to sell it or raise it. Gordon raised the lamb and eventually had a flock which helped finance his first car — part of a lifelong love with all things motorized.

World War II service in the Army called and Gordon served stateside as clerk typist. He later encouraged his children to learn to type because "you just never knew when it might come in handy" — and this was before the advent of the personal computer.

After being discharged from the Army, Gordon planned to attend Sioux Falls College. However, having missed so much school to work on the family farm, college coursework wasn't too satisfying. Experiences in his formative years in a post-depression South Dakota farming life instilled in Gordon the knowledge that success requires careful planning and hard work. While a student at Sioux Falls College in 1950, he bought a financially troubled beauty salon at 18th and Grange in Sioux Falls that employed his cousin, Belva, who operated it. Gordon's entrepreneurial flair and abilities soon turned the two-chair salon into a successful and growing business.

In June of 1950, Gordon decided he'd get behind a styling chair and convinced the owner of a local beauty academy to let him enroll. He continued his studies in Detroit and brought back cutting-edge techniques to South Dakota to help him build a large and loyal clientele. In addition to starting a business and a new career, Gordon enjoyed the young adult fellowship at First Baptist Church. While sitting in the balcony on Sunday, an attractive young lady caught his eye. Deloris (Dee) Renner caught his heart, as well as his eye and it wasn't long until he convinced her to share his life. On a hot June day in 1952, Gordon and Dee's wedding was the first wedding in the new sanctuary at First Baptist's new 22nd and Covell location. Gordon's only request for the wedding was for Dee to be on time. At no fault of her own, Dee could not fulfill his one request because the lack of air conditioning discouraged the guests from arriving until the last possible minute, leaving the bride waiting for the aisle to clear!

Dee, Gordon's energetic spouse, was invaluable help in these early years of the salon business, assisting in a variety of ways, including laundering towels, acting as receptionist and helping with the bookkeeping. Gordon purchased three more salons and, in 1955, his brother David joined the business.

As a solution to the shortage of skilled stylists, the first Stewart School of Hairstyling opened in Sioux Falls in 1956. Later, in 1959, a Sioux City, Iowa school opened and his other brother, Roger, joined Stewart Enterprises.

Soon, Stewart hair salons were sprouting up throughout South Dakota and into Iowa and Nebraska. Training became a high priority and featured nationally renowned guest educators to make Stewart salons an industry leader. Stewart schools developed a curriculum that quickly surpassed most in the country.

In the 1990s, Stewarts operated salons and schools in seven upper Midwest states with additional salons operated by second generation Stewarts in California, Colorado, Massachusetts and Texas.

Gordon and Dee were blessed with three children, Randy, Michelle and Kristi. Gordon took an avid interest in encouraging the kids' education and activities. A fixture in the stands or audience, he proudly displayed the results of their hard work in his office for all to see.

In spite of not completing his college course work, Gordon was dedicated to the importance of Christian education and served for decades on the University of Sioux Falls' board of trustees, several of those as Chairman of the Board. He and his siblings provided the endowment to build the Stewart Center, which is named in honor of A.O. and Lillian. He also served on the board of the Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Department, was a board member of First National Bank and the board of trustees for Sioux Valley Hospital (Sanford Medical Center). He was active in many community organizations including Forward Sioux Falls, the Downtown Rotary and the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation. He was honored as South Dakota Philanthropist of the Year. In word and deed, Gordon demonstrated his commitment to Christ and community through his everyday actions.

His hobbies involved all things motorized. In 1962, he bought a new Chevrolet Corvette. It was fast, and Gordon had the tickets to prove it! His enthusiasm for cars allowed him the opportunity to own one of 50 1964 Hemi Barracuda Lightweights. The car, known as "The Hairbender" dominated the region's drag-ways. In 1968, another limited production of Lightweights brought "The Hairbender Too" to dominate the tracks. Gordon went to driver's school and spent weekends road racing an Italian-built Osca and Lola. The trophies from both the drag racing and road racing held places of honor at the Stewart's Enterprises corporate office.

Gordon also loved motorcycles and used them as a way to stay connected with his children and friends, enjoying weekends at a ranch in western South Dakota riding dirt bikes and driving dune buggies.

In later years, Gordon and Dee enjoyed time spent in Santa Barbara, CA, walking along the sea wall and area beaches and having coffee at Java Station and ice cream on the wharf. Gordon struck up friendships with a multitude of people from all social and economic walks of life. He treasured these friendships and looked forward to the annual visits. He and Dee drove to California, usually making the trip in just two days — claiming they were taking it slow. Recently, he spent many days working in grandson Parker's growing business folding tee-shirts to be shipped to customers. He was a regular and strong supporter of his grandkids activities, making those events a priority on his calendar.

Gordon was known to all as a gentle person, who cared deeply for his family and friends. Though not a man of many words, those blessed with his presence could tell you of the wisdom he shared with countless people. Those closest to him could tell you many stories of how he encouraged people to pursue their dreams.

Grateful for having shared his life are his life's love and partner, Dee; children, Randall (Sara) of Sioux Falls; Michelle (Mark) Brenner of Santa Barbara, CA; and Kristi (Bill) Golden of Wall Lake; grandchildren, Parker Stewart of Sioux Falls; Connor Stewart of Sioux Falls; Paige Brenner of San Francisco, CA; Sam Brenner of Santa Barbara, CA; Evie Golden of Wall Lake; and Bess Golden of Wall Lake. Great-grandchildren, Carter, Ashtyn, Braxton Stewart and Presley Stewart, all of Sioux Falls. Siblings, Betty Fillbach, Vonnie Griffith and Roger (Carol) Stewart of Sioux Falls and nephews, nieces and extended family. Gordon was welcomed into Heaven by parents, A.O. and Lillian Stewart; brother, David and sister-in-law, Fran.

As an expression of sympathy and celebration of a life well lived, memorial contributions may be sent to the Gordon and Dee Stewart Family Trust of the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation.

www.millerfh.com

Published by Argus Leader on Aug. 31, 2016.
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Gordon made such a difference to my son Hunter´s life. We were talking about Gordon just the other day. Thinking of you all on this 5th anniversary.

Sherry McFarlane Smith

August 23, 2021

We were so very sad to hear from Hunter McFarlane in Santa Barbara, today, that he had just heard that Gordon had passed away. Hunter does not have his computer right now so we will print Gordon's obituary and mail it to him. Gordon meant so much to Hunter..he was such a wonderful person and Hunter always looked forward to his time in Santa Barbara. He will miss him terribly and is so very saddened. We had thoroughly enjoyed seeing both of you when we would visit Hunter and going out to eat with you both. All of our prayers and thoughts are with you all now.
Kimber and Sherry (McFarlane) Smith, South Carolina [email protected]

Hunter McFarlane

September 7, 2016

To the Stewart Family,
So sad for your loss, Gordon was a good and kind person. My son Jerry remembers when he took him along to Sious City to get the car. And my sister worked for him .
You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Charleen Johnson

Charleen Johnson

September 3, 2016

Every once in awhile someone truly special drifts through our lives, and Gordon Steward was just such a special someone. The wonderful obituary says it way better than I could, but this man was so gifted in so many different ways. I served on a variety of boards and committees with Gordon, not to mention the many bible studies we shared together, and Gordon was always the gentle leader who kept us all moving in the right direction. I am in the mountains here in Montana, but my heart is with the Stewart family as you say your final goodbye to this wonderful man.

Lowell Hansen

August 31, 2016

Gloria Dowden

August 30, 2016

All Phrommany families, we are so sad to lose very important person in the Phrommany history. Gordon is a good person who we are admired so much, very respect and being our role model. He is the one who starts our lives in US. Our condolences to Stewart family. May God Bless you all.

Paul (Souriphone) Phrommany

Friend

August 30, 2016

Steward Family,
So sad to hear of Gordon's passing. He was a honest and kind man and we enjoyed him and his family at the Medicine Creek Ranch. I am also proud to say that two sisters in law, one niece and my oldest daughter attended
Stewart's School of Hairstyling. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Rod and Kathie Anderson Diedrich.

Kathie Diedrich

Friend

August 30, 2016

I came to know Gordon in 1998 when I began working at the University of Sioux Falls. He immediately embraced me as a friend at a level of openness with which I have never before seen. Lots of memories have been going through my head since I heard yesterday that Gordan went to be with the Lord. I can't think of anyone for whom I have greater respect.

August 30, 2016

Mark Gries

Friend

August 30, 2016

Hi Dee and family....so very sad to hear of Gordon's' passing. My mind is so full of memories, too many to recount. I guess one of the best is when we were saying goodby to each other, he to Chicago to attend "hair school" and I to Waco Tx to go into the air force. And BOY was I wrong to think that being a beautician would be folly......Dick Beatty

Dick Beatty

Friend

August 30, 2016

Dear Dee and Stewart Family,

We know how little the words of friends can do to ease the sadness that has come to you with Gordon's passing. Yet, we want you to know that we are thinking about you and how we sympathize with you in your bereavement.
Indeed, you are in our prayers.

Briana and Nathan Nassif

Friend

August 30, 2016

Nathan and Briana Nassif

Friend

August 30, 2016

Stewart family.....our condolences to all. We are so sad to hear this news. Gordon, a wonderful man who, along with his brothers ran one of the finest companies in the country!! Always had a great respect for him and his family! God's Blessings to you all, may he hold you in the palm of His hand!

Bob & Allene Bethke

Friend

August 30, 2016

Tom Redmond Jr

Family

August 29, 2016

Dear Dee & family, we are saddened by Gordon's passing, yet comforted by so many wonderful memories & conversations with him. We send living thoughts & prayers to all of you.

Nancy Sabin

Family

August 29, 2016

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Memorial Events
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Sep

1

Visitation

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Miller Funeral Home - Downtown

507 S. Main Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

Sep

2

Funeral service

1:00 p.m.

First Baptist Church

1401 S. Covell Avenue, SD 57104

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Miller Funeral Home - Downtown

507 S. Main Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

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