Tom Brinly Stewart III

Tom B. Stewart, III, has passed away. He was born on July 29th, of 1950, at St. Luke's Hospital where his mother was a nurse. He departed this earth for heavenly realms on Friday, November 15th, 2024, at 5:05 p.m. just after the end of the work day and one day past his 37th wedding anniversary.
His was a life well lived. He told his wife that a life with him would never be dull, he was correct. He had many interests; camping, sailing, horse shows, cookouts, and family gatherings were among the many enjoyable activities he did with his family. Living life for the Lord was first and foremost. Church attendance, Bible study, leading music in Sunday School for preschoolers with his guitar were constants in his life. Every year he would take pictures of those precious preschoolers, and the teachers would put together Christmas ornaments to include each child's picture. He encouraged his children to live for the Lord. He also valued giving his time to First Coast Woman's Services.
As a child he attended St. Paul's Episcopal Church in San Marco near where his grandparents lived. He had a childhood baptism, so he remembered it. His favorite song then was "This Old House", by Stuart Hamblen [link: http://www.1517.org/podcast-overview/2022-10-20] He believed from an early age God had a hand on his life. He attended All Saints Episcopal Church with his parents and grandmother. He occasionally attended Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church with his step mom Janis He was faithful to take his children to Congregation Ahavath Chesed, occasionally attended Beth Jacob which is now Beth Israel, and went to Madeira Drive Baptist Church upon invitation by his bookkeeper, where he met his wife, Maple. They later attended First Baptist Church of downtown Jacksonville. Two of his favorite hymns were "Amazing Grace" and "Up From the Grave He Arose".
He went to Christian schools during elementary school. He attended Grace Episcopal across from Bolles. Then he attended Swaim Memorial Methodist Church school. He attended The Bolles School for Junior High School and ninth grade, then transferred to Wolfson from where he graduated. He graduated from UF from the Warrington College of Business, then sat for the CPA exam. Launching his 46 year career as a CPA. He loved his clients and many became life- long friends.
His boating interests were spurred on when his dad said he could only operate the power boat after he took a power squadron course, which he did. He built a day sailer with a drop keel when he was 16, later he bought a larger sailboat with a friend. For many years he sailed, enjoying the St. Johns Riverwith it's inlets and coves.
In his thirties, he did some mountain climbing and his wife encouraged him to continue, but he said it should not be the pursuit of a married man. When travelling, he enjoyed taking videos and stills of family and beautiful scenery. He filmed a travel promotional and a special for a television station, as well as wedding photography for friends.
He is survived by his wife, Maple L. Ledford Stewart, daughters: Brinly L. Standridge, (Noah), Marti L. Stewart, (Greg), Katherine E. Stewart, and Anna M. E. Stewart. Grandchildren: Micah O. Standridge, Levi O. Standridge, Ocoee C. Standridge, Sequoia R. Standridge, Juniper R. Standridge, Aggie R. McEachern, and Frida L. McEachern, and several beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by Tom B. Stewart, Jr. his father, Florence E. Burnside Stewart, his mother, Donna Watson, his sister, and his two stepmothers: Winifred H. Stewart and Janis G. Stewart.
In lieu of flowers, you may donate to First Coast Women's Services in Tom's memory, [fcws.org/donate].