Richard  William Stewart

Richard Stewart passed away May 18, 2014 at his home in Laurie, MO, with his beloved wife Linda and his "best friend" Bear. He was recovering from two complete knee joint replacement operations over the past 12 months. Richard was truly one-of-a-kind. He was an interesting, witty, and very intelligent man, and a great story-teller. His stories were so vivid and detailed you felt as if you experienced them personally and he could make you laugh until your face hurt. Rich never did anything halfway, and that was especially true with his love of sports. He would immerse himself in all the facts and data he could find. He knew every statistic, every detail of every player and team in the NFL and major college in the country. In 2009, Richard developed and launched an online blog titled richsfootballreport.com and wrote daily articles about the NFL draft, player personnel needs for every pro and major college team, in- depth analysis of positions, tendencies, front-office news, and even posted weekly game picks for his readers' office pools. His blog led to being invited to host a weekly football radio talk-show on KRMS at the lake. He had thousands of followers on his blog and radio program that relied on his daily analysis, many of whom he got to know personally over the years. It didn't end with football. He was also very knowledgeable about baseball and basketball, and he particularly loved NASCAR and NHRA drag racing. He knew every driver, owner, and crew chief, and current standings in every division. He was a wealth of sports information. Rich was also passionate about music, especially blues music and Stevie Ray Vaughn was his favorite blues musician. He and Linda went to dozens of blues concerts over the years. Richard had a kind heart which is not to say he didn't have strong opinions or convictions. If you ever found yourself in a debate with him about politics or politicians you got a taste of his convictions first-hand! Yet he was genuinely a kind-hearted person, with a true love of children, animals, and the less-fortunate. Richard was a fiercely loyal person with a strong commitment and passion for his family. He deeply loved his mother Frances, adored his sisters Ann, Nancy, and Dana, his nieces, nephews, cousins and no husband has ever been more devoted to his wife than Rich was to Linda. And if you were his friend, you were friends for life. Richard was extremely proud of his father's WW II service record as the most decorated soldier from Independence, MO, and his uncle who was a West Point graduate and career military officer. Rich was a proud veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces having served in the U.S. Air Force and attained the rank of Sergeant. He was a member of the Zack Wheat American Legion in Laurie, MO. Rich never missed an opportunity to recognize and thank the veteran and active-duty men and women of the armed forces for their service to our country on Veterans' Day. Rich and Linda were married in 1976. Soon after they married they moved to Las Vegas where they lived for 20 years. Rich began his career in the gaming industry, moved through several casinos, and retired as Floor Supervisor in the dice pit at Belagio. He has dozens of friends from high school, military service and Las Vegas that he routinely stays in touch with. Rich and Linda moved back to MO, and to the lake in 2005 to help start a new company and develop lakefront properties. Richard loved the lake and had fulfilled his dream of retiring here. We are all searching for an answer to why he was taken from us much too soon, and we each feel a tremendous emptiness in our hearts from the void of his giant personality. Richard, you are in our thoughts and prayers. We will cherish our time with you forever. In addition to his wife, Linda, he is survived by his mother, Frances Johnson of Las Vegas, Nevada; sisters, Ann Umphenour and husband Ron of Bridgewater, New Jersey and Nancy O'Connor and husband Terry of Henderson, Nevada; nieces and nephews, Erica Taylor and husband Jason, Erin Umphenour, Ronnie Umphenour, Marty Long, Cara Long and fiancé A.J. Smith, Megan Cannady, Jake Cannady, Jared Sejkora and Jason Sejkora; sister-in-law, Janet Long of Independence, Missouri; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert M. Stewart and his sister, Dana Sejkora. A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, May 22nd, at the Kidwell-Garber Laurie/Sunrise Beach Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 23rd, at the Carson-Speaks Chapel in Independence with a visitation held at 1:00 p.m. Graveside services and interment with full military honors will follow in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Independence. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project or to Patriot Paws. Expressions of sympathy may be left online at www.kidwellgarber.com. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Kidwell-Garber Laurie/Sunrise Beach Chapel.
For more information regarding services in Independence, MO please call Carson Speaks Chapel 816-373-3600