John Michael Stewart

November 13, 1937 - October 20, 2024

Bellingham, Washington - John Michael Stewart passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 20th 2024, at the age of 86.

He was born on Friday, November 13, 1937, in Walla Walla, Washington.

Throughout his life, John had many passions. He loved drawing, chess, sailing and traveling the world, feeling most at home by the ocean. He cherished his dogs, enjoyed driving convertibles, and enjoyed a good morning espresso and fresh oysters. Japan was a continual source of inspiration for him - in work and life - a place he dreamed of and traveled to. John was passionate about art and design.

His career as an award-winning architect spanned over 55 years in Bellingham, Washington, where he designed some of the town's most iconic landmarks and community spaces, including the Bellingham Cruise Terminal, the Depot Market Square and the Fairhaven Village Green.

John was deeply devoted to his family. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, his daughters, Catherine, Whitney and Carter, his grandchildren, Sydney, William, Calder, Agnes and Axel; his nephew Brendan Sinnott; and his sister, Carol (Stewart) Rae, and her family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Lorene, and his son Michael Stewart. Creative, kind, unique and stubborn(!), he was loved and respected by his family and friends.

Though he wasn't one to seek out music, he had a soft spot for Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World: "I see skies of blue and clouds of white, the bright blessed days and the dark sacred nights...and I think to myself...what a wonderful world". Alzheimer's took his memories and his dignity, but his kind spirit and sense of humor shone through to the end. We will find him in the ocean, in the trees, in beautiful buildings and on our journeys-in this wonderful world he so delighted in.

We love you, Dad, and feel your presence in the spaces you shaped. You are missed and you are everywhere.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Bellingham Herald from Nov. 15 to Nov. 17, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for John Stewart

21 Entries

Denise Irey

July 3, 2025

Smiling John,
You and Liz will always hold a special part of my heart and memories. Thank you

Heather Othmer

January 15, 2025

John was my next-door neighbor for 19 years on Chuckanut. In the early years we used to sit in his yard drink scotch, smoke cloves and he would see his son Michael in the clouds. I treasure those memories of knowing John like that. Later he designed my home which I built in the same location. It is a true work of art, and I am so grateful to John for this incredible design that I enjoy every day. We stayed close friends and allies until he and Liz left the property in 2020. I miss our friendship and our community. John has left a beautiful legacy in Bellingham with his unique designs of homes and commercial buildings. RIP dear friend.

Tia

December 21, 2024

John, thank you for your kindness and laughter. I have so many memories of being in your home as a kid laughing and learning new things-memories of you and my dad laughing over photography stories. I know you two will meet up and laugh some more together. Rest easy. Whitney, Carter, Liz, and family, I´m sending you warm healing light. My love to you all.

James Trotter

December 18, 2024

John was quite the conversationalist, with a funny and witty bent. He and I held forth many early evenings at Daphne's and at the Black Cat. At the Cat he always had his signature glass of deep red wine and a decadent chocolate brownie. Ironically, one of his designs was a house he built for himself and his ex which is just a couple of doors down from me. I look at that house and I see John in it, perfectly fitting into its setting of woods and water views. John, you will be missed.

Tom Beattie

December 11, 2024

I say this with tears in my eyes, but I'm glad it's over for him. He wouldn't have wanted to go out like this. He was both my customer and my friend for decades. John was such a kind and gentle person. His eye for beauty or creating it was exceptional. John taught me a few life lessons. One of the last things he said to me was " Tom you and I aren't rich like our friends are. Both of us are going to have to work until we can't". He certainly did do that. Still drafting by hand and presenting till he wasn't all there. John to me was one of the most distinguished gentlemen. I have ever had the honor to meet. I have been missing him for years now. Good Bye Mr. Stewart it was my privilege. Cheers

[email protected]

November 27, 2024

John added to our community and was a wonderful person. I enjoyed every encounter.

Michael Smith

November 26, 2024

Architecture was John's passion. He was the driving force behind establishing the Northwest Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and it's first President. 1982-ish. That's how I met him. RIP.

Al Saibini, Nevada Alpha '76

November 26, 2024

In coelo quies est.

Delight Newlight

November 25, 2024

John attended WSU as an undergraduate. He joined and lived at Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He was president of the freshman class while attending WSU.

Delight Newlight

November 25, 2024

John was also president of his freshman class at WSU and a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity at WSU.

Julian Friedman

November 25, 2024

We just recently purchased a home that John designed in 1976 and are currently in the middle of a major renovation. The design is remarkable! If a tour of his work was ever arranged, I’d be so interested in participating! Sorry to hear about his passing. He left a lasting mark on our community!

Brian Griffin

November 24, 2024

John was a supremely talented architect and a great contributor to the community. I first met him as a young architect working with Dick Stradling building the Parkade. I went to him to design the Fairhaven Village Green and he volunteered to do the project pro-bono. His terrific Fairhaven Ferry Terminal is a Gem. I hired him to design Depot Market Square, his work was marvelous. His creations will live on in the community for generations come. John has left a great legacy.

Laura Wood

November 21, 2024

I am so thankful to have known John, & to be reminded of him when I joyfully think of his kindness & see his creativity in my home.

Curt Carpenter

November 20, 2024

Very sorry to hear of John's passing.
Having worked for him for couple years in the late 90's I truly admired him as an architect - he was a real free-thinker.
John had a line that he used on more than a few young architects when he'd check on their work & saw something that might have been less than inspiring: "Do you want to be a technician or an Architect?"
Was difficult to hear at the time, but it was said because he cared, and he was saying that we have a choice - just make the right one.
He also taught me that me than many limitations are ones that we create - I remind myself of that every day, and I thank him for that.
John will surely be missed, and my heart goes out to his family.

David Christensen

November 19, 2024

There are no words. He was my mentor as a young architect. I heard he went to Idaho to be with his daughter? He designed a nice church there I think. Sun valley? I wish I could have seen him. He always looked at the bright side of life. Although he would only come by my desk a 5pm to talk about a project. He was quite the personality. Will never forget him. My sympathies to all family and friends.

Jody Kennedy

November 19, 2024

So many of us were lucky to work with John, and he taught us so much. I started as an interior design intern while still a student at WWU and worked with him for 15 years. I got to know Liz and the girls so well; it was a family business. I will never forget him-sunglasses on driving his Alfa Romeo convertible to job site meetings-that truly made his day! Liz, Whitney, Carter, and Cathy - I'm so very sorry for your loss; he was a special man.

Rob Neale

November 19, 2024

So sorry to hear of John's passing. I worked with him on numerous projects (on the regulatory side) and he was always the consummate professional: delivering his clients' visions with an understanding of the needs for public safety. He was honest, forthright and fair. It was a pleasure to work with and know him. We shared many conversations about his work. He took me to lunch one day at one of his projects (I think it was Anthony's before it became Anthony's) and I was awestruck how he framed with island view between the roofline and low walls. It was stunning to say the least.

Kris Hamilton

November 17, 2024

I am sorry to hear of John's passing. I got to know him over the course of a number of his public projects where I served as Structural Engineer - it was always a pleasure to see how he approached design. My especial condolences to Liz.

janyk

November 16, 2024

The colors of the rainbow
So pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces
Of people going by
I see friends shaking hands
Saying, "How do you do?"
They're really saying
We love you John Stewart!!

adieu mon ami....you will be missed....
janyk

Lana and Bob Worley

November 16, 2024

We are so sorry to hear of John's passing. He was such a talented, fun, nice person. We have many fond memories of spending time with him and Liz in Barra de Navidad, Hawaii, Sun Valley and in the Skagit Valley/Bellingham art scene. Our hearts go out to Liz, Whitney, Carter and the family.
Warm regards,
Lana and Bob Worley