HAL STEWART
Dec. 20, 1919-March 28, 2006
Luther Harold "Hal" Stewart, 86, of 1811 Royal Avenue, died Tuesday at Wayne Memorial Hospital.
Mr. Stewart was born in Harnett County on December 20, 1919, to the late George Alton Stewart and Reva Jones Stewart. He was married to the late Jane Underwood Stewart.
Mr. Stewart was the founder and owner of Goldsboro Tin Shop and was a member of Jefferson United Methodist Church. He was a 1937 graduate of Coats High School and a 1939 graduate of Louisburg College. He was employed in government work in Florida from 1939-1940 and at the Norfolk Naval Yard from 1940-1944.
He was a charter member and past president of Wayne Touchdown Club, which was organized in 1949.
Mr. Stewart was instrumental in the construction of the football stadium at Goldsboro High School and was a charter member of the Wayne Boys Club. He coached the Metal Workers' Pony League Team to a 156-18 record in 10 years and reactivated American Legion Baseball in Goldsboro in 1958, serving as athletic officer, coach and fundraiser.
Mr. Stewart was inducted into the American Legion Hall of Fame in 1985.
He was a person whose life has been one of giving instead of taking, a person who refused to take no for an answer. He was a person who spent countless hours away from his family to help those in need. He was a person who gave of his money, but more importantly he gave his friendship when kids needed it most.
Many former athletes at Goldsboro High School have broken bread at this home and learned to pass the ball in the famous "circle drill" in his back yard. Hal's blue pickup was the vehicle that hauled hundreds of boys all over Goldsboro, to and from practices and games. There were many boys who will forever be in his debt for what he did for all sports programs in Goldsboro, and for baseball in particular.
A memorial service will be conducted Saturday at 11 a.m. at Jefferson United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Doug Johnson officiating. A graveside service will be held Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in Coats Cemetery, Coats, N.C.
Mr. Stewart is survived by his sons, Hal Stewart, and his wife, Linda, of Garner and Eddie Stewart and his wife, Donna, of Goldsboro; a brother, David Wallace Stewart of Raleigh; two granddaughters, three grandsons; one great-grandson and one great-granddaughter.
Another son, Jimmy Stewart, preceded him in death.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Jefferson United Methodist Church General Fund, 1100 N. Jefferson Street, Goldsboro, N.C., 27530.
The family will receive friends at the church following the memorial service.
Arrangements by Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
(Written & Paid by the Family)
Published in Obituaries on March 30, 2006 1:54 PM