March 09, 1927 - August 11, 2021
Jack Stewart was born in Big Timber, Montana on March 9, 1927. He grew up with his two sisters (Virginia and Liola) mostly around Livingston Montana and Yellowstone National Park where his father was a carpenter for the forest service. Later, when WWII broke out his mother moved to Los Angeles and his father moved to Bremerton Washington to work in the Naval Shipyard. Jack moved to LA but spent summers until his junior year of high school with his father in Bremerton. The year he turned 17 (1944) he got his father to sign for him to become a Merchant Marine so he could serve in WWII. After the war, one of his shipmates encouraged him to come to Spokane since Swifts (packing house) was hiring. Jack began his civilian career there and that is where he met the love of his life Betty Mae Curtiss. They married and were together for 70 years until her death in 2018. Jack changed careers and began working for the Washington Water Power (Avista) doing maintenance tasks. After becoming an apprentice lineman, he was called to active duty when the Korean war broke out. Jack served in the Construction Battalion better known as the Sea Bees. Upon his return to Spokane, Jack finished his apprenticeship program and became a journeyman lineman. During these years Jack and Betty welcomed two sons Ronald and Randall. By the time Jack finished his forty-year career with the Washington Water Power he had been promoted to line foremen and finally overhead line superintendent. Along the way Jack also worked weekends for the joint apprenticeship training committee teaching new men the ropes of his trade. He later, as line superintendent, arranged to build the WWP training center which now bears his name. All through life Jack advocated to his students and his children that you give 110% to your job and country. After retirement Jack and Betty traveled the country together many times. Jack is survived by his two sons, Ronald W. Stewart (Patricia) and Randall R. Stewart (Sandra), ten grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Service to be held on Friday August 27th at 11:00 am at Fairmount Memorial Park 5200 W. Wellesley Avenue, Spokane Washington.
