Bobby Ray Stewart

Obituary BOB R. STEWART FEBRUARY 17, 1940 ?" SEPTEMBER 25, 2008 Bob Ray Stewart known as "Coach Stew" to friends, family, and former players, died of Mesothelioma (asbestos cancer) on Thursday, September 25, 2008 after a nine month illness. He died at his home in North East Tacoma, Washington. He was 68. Bob was born in Cherokee, Oklahoma. He graduated from Wapato High School and Central Washington State University. In 1963, he married Diana "Folino" Stewart. They were married 46 years. In addition to his wife, Bob leaves behinds son Michael Stewart, daughter Teresa Houser, son-in-law John Houser and granddaughters Hailey Maher, Hanna Houser and Grace Houser. Bob was a popular and respected high school teacher, baseball and basketball coach. He forever changed the lives of his family, students and players with his integrity, fairness and humanness. Bob taught and coached at Federal Way High School from 1970-1998. Until his illness, he remained active as a substitute teacher and coached his eldest granddaughter's softball team. Bob was Washington State High School Coach of the Year for 1971-72 and led the Eagles baseball team to five Sound Puget Sound League Championships. He was a member of the Federal Way High School Baseball Hall of Fame, the Washington Education Association, the Washington State High School Coaches Association and the Washington State Teachers Association. A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Theresa's Catholic Church, 3939 SW 331st Street, Federal Way, Washington, 98023. At Bob's request, the family suggests donations in his memory to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation in hopes that someday a cure will be found. Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation PO Box 91840 Santa Barbara, CA 93190-1840 802-563-8400