Burton D. Steward

Burton Dale Steward was born November 24,1933, during Dust Bowl days, to Jesse Brent and Lillie Mae

Hanshaw Steward on the family farm west of Leedey, Oklahoma. He passed from this life on October 9,

2025, at the age of 91 in Edmond, Oklahoma. The youngest of 7 children, he attended school in the

Leedey area until his parents moved to Oklahoma City when he was in high school. He graduated in 1952

from Central High School and briefly attended Central State University in Edmond.

He married Barbara Ann Jones, of Oklahoma City, November 27, 1957. They were blessed with two

children, Peggy Elise and Bret Daniel. In Oklahoma City, Burt worked at an Oldsmobile dealership and

Wonder Bread Bakery before starting a 32-year career in sales with Gerber Baby Products. Burt proudly

served his country in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve and later in the Oklahoma Air National Guard

for 30 years, then active in the Gray Eagles, the retiree association of the OKANG. Burt and Barbara

enjoyed square dancing with the Round-Up Club in OKC, and later their place at Duchess Creek at Lake

Eufaula for 29 years. As a young boy, Burt was given a pair of racing homing pigeons, a hobby he

resumed in his 20's and participated in until he was 88 years old. Always an animal lover, he bred smooth

fox terriers for show when he was a young man and had many pet dogs over the years, including several

he found as strays. After retirement, Burt and Barbara enjoyed traveling. They traveled by car to all 48

continental US states, visiting many national parks, watching dog sled races in Montana, Wyoming and

twice to Alaska for the Iditarod. They had many wonderful vacations, including several cruises to Alaska,

Canada and Hawaii; one of their favorite trips was to Australia. They became Master Gardeners, and he

enjoyed working in his yard and flowerbeds. A lifelong Methodist, Burt and his family joined South Lee

United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City in 1965. After living in South Oklahoma City for many years,

Burt and Barbara spent 8 years in Leedey and then 10 years in Piedmont, where they were active

members of the communities and the local Methodist churches. They moved to Edmond in 2023 to be

closer to family.

Burt is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Barbara; daughter Peggy Cain and husband Tim of

Edmond, son Bret Steward of El Reno, grandchildren Alexander (Alec) Cain and wife Megan of Oklahoma

City, Abigail (Abby) Koenig and husband Brooks of Oklahoma City, Allison Rabun and husband Gehrig of

Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Airman First Class Aubrey Anne Steward of Oklahoma City, who is following

in her grandpa's footsteps serving in the OKANG. Also surviving are twin sisters Nina Belle Fields of

Edmond and Ina Jane Sergesketter of Houston, Texas.

Burt was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Alvin Delpha Steward, Joe Elgin Steward and Carl

Wilmore Steward and sister, Ila Juanita Trent.

The family thanks Lyndale Independent and Assisted Living, Companion Hospice, Synergy Home Health

and Richard Perez for their kindness and care over the past six months. In lieu of flowers, donations may

be made to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch or the American Pigeon Museum in Oklahoma City.

Visitation Friday, October 17 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. with services Saturday, October 18 at 2 p.m. at Resthaven

Funeral Home. Interment to follow at Resthaven Memory Gardens