James Rodney Stewart, 78, passed away January 28 after a brief illness. Born to Shirley and Charles Stewart on January 19, 1945 in Annandale, Virginia, the sixth child of nine offspring. He grew up an independent wandering spirit, often leaving school and family to find adventures and employment. He once briefly worked as a jockey. Jim volunteered to serve as an Army soldier in Vietnam and was wounded after one and a half tours. After recovering in Hawaii, he was stationed in Germany where he married and had three children; Clifford, Jimmy and Rita. Jimmy preceded him in death in 1992.
After serving in the military for eight years Jim became a truck driver and traveled across the United States many times. When meeting someone he would ask their hometown and then locate them by naming the closest highways. He never met a stranger. He was an animal lover and always stopped to greet dogs.
He was greatly loved by his family and friends. Jim was a member of the Christian Motorcycle Association and the VFW. He loved riding his motorcycle.
Jim had other marriages but found himself happiest when he married Sandra Kelley on September 4, 2021. They traveled extensively during their brief marriage.
Celebration of Life will be March 11 at the First United Methodist Church in Carson City at 11 a.m. with a potluck lunch after.