James Proctor Stewart

James Proctor "Jimmy" Stewart of Milton, Florida, passed away peacefully Monday, December 29, 2024, at Sacred Heart Vitas (Hospice Care) in Pensacola, FL. He was 90 years of age.
Jimmy was born December 15, 1934, in Milton, Florida to C.H. Stewart and Eloise Proctor Stewart. He attended school in Milton and graduated from Milton High School in 1953. While in school Jimmy showed an interest in and a talent for music and played trombone in his high school band and later in the United States Marine Corps Band.
After high school Jimmy joined the United States Marine Corps, serving honorably until 1956. He attained the rank of Sergeant.
In 1955 Jimmy married Joan Mary Richardson in Oahua, Hawaii. They had three children: Clayton Hamilton II (Clay), Lisa Gay, and Kris Kaliko.
Jimmy attended Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Dallas, Texas, graduating in 1959. He managed Stewart Funeral in Milton, before returning to Hawaii in 1962 to manage Borthwick Mortuary, Honolulu, and later, Memorial Mortuary in Hilo.
In 1970, Jimmy married Edna Leialoha Gilman. They were married for 54 years. In 1975 Jimmy and Lei returned to his hometown and made their home there. Jimmy first worked for Santa Rosa County as Manager of the County Auditorium. Later, he was made Director of Building Maintenance. He retired from Santa Rosa County in 2003 with 27 years of service.
Jimmy was a member of the Lions Club of Milton for many years and also served on the Point Baker Water Board. He was an amateur radio operator for over 50 years. In his free time he enjoyed working on projects in his home shop.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his wife, Lei Stewart; an infant daughter; his son, Clay Stewart; and his grandson, Joshua Campbell.
He is survived by his daughters, Lisa Gay Stewart of Paduka, Kentucky and Kris Kaliko Stewart Campbell (Larry) of Kaneohe, Hawaii; his stepson, Shay Johnson of Haleiwa, Hawaii; a sister Betty Jane Stewart Pounsett (Alan) of Ontario, Canada; and a brother, Clayton Stewart (Marilyn) of Pensacola, Florida. He is also survived by his grandchildren, his great-grandchildren, his nieces and nephews, cousins, and wonderful friends.
A graveside service will be held for Jimmy at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The family gives a special thank you to Mary and Joe Johnson, Devan and Jan Cook, and Mike Brown for all their help and care for Jimmy and family. It has been most appreciated by us. We also wish to thank the nurses and the caregivers of Vitas Hospice at Sacred Heart for their kindness and care at a difficult time.