John Stewart Obituary

John Calvin Stewart Jr. left this world on May 22, 2025 for his heavenly home. John was born in Winnsboro, South Carolina in 1945 to the late John and Catherine Stewart Sr. When John attended Winnsboro schools, he was an outstanding athlete in basketball, baseball, and football where he was awarded the WR Price Memorial for his accomplishments in football. He graduated from The Citadel in 1967 with honors where he was president of the Economic Honors Society. John earned a Juris Doctor from Tulane University School of Law, where he was a member of Phi Alpha Delta and the Tulane Moot Court Board (presiding judge). After Tulane, he joined the United States Air Force where he was a Captain in the Air Force in the Judge Advocate General Corps and was compensated with a medal for meritorious service. John moved to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in 1976 where he began the practice of law until he retired in 2016. Since 1976 he was a member and past Elder of the First Presbyterian Church. John served as vice chairman of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Authority from 1994 to 1999 and as chairman from 1992 to 1993. He was very proud of this contribution to Myrtle Beach as this is what is now known as Market Common. For The City of Myrtle Beach, he served on the board of the Planning and Zoning Commission and the board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline. At the Dunes Golf and Beach Club, John chaired the House committee, strategic planning committee, the greens committee, and the operations and finance committee. In 2022, John was awarded the prestigious Dunes Club Alligator Award. In addition to all of John's many accomplishments and successes, he was a huge Atlanta Braves fan, avid golfer, and a gardener. John had a great love of the mountains and spent much of his free time at his house in Montreat, North Carolina after his retirement from the Nelson Mullins Law Firm. John was an engaging conversationalist with quick wit and a dry sense of humor. John truly loved his dogs (all of them) and walked on the beach each morning with them. The time John spent with his many friends was always cherished and were the times he experienced his greatest enjoyment. John leaves behind his loving wife of 54 years, Laura O'Neal Mauldin Stewart, of Myrtle Beach, his devoted children, John "Jack" Calvin Stewart III (Pebbles) of Myrtle Beach and Catherine "Kate" O'Neal Stewart of Raleigh. One of the great highlights of John's life was his one granddaughter, Summer Trent Stewart. John also leaves behind his siblings, Mary Catherine Stewart Howell (Madison), Ann Stewart Monroe (Jim), Charles Douglas Stewart (Tamera), and a host of nieces and nephews. John had a very special cousin Roy R. Oates (Joyce), and a very special bond with his longtime associate Yvonne Marie Brittain (who was often joked about as the third child of the family). The entire family will greatly miss John's strength, guidance, kindness, and unwavering support, as he was the compass of his family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Myrtle Beach in care of the Pastor's discretion fund, PO Box 70127 Myrtle Beach, SC 29572-0127. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John C. Stewart, Jr., please visit our floral store.