Stewart James Holcomb
Stewart James Holcomb
October 7th, 1942 – December 30th, 2024
*Author’s Note: The following excerpts in our “Life Stories” are from the Celebration of Life service for Stewart James Holcomb for you to read, reflect, and pay your respects privately. It was an honor to help Stew’s family pay tribute to his wonderful life. Loving sentiments were shared by Stew’s son-in-law and stepdaughter. Stew received the Military Honors that he had earned, and he was laid to rest at All Saints Cemetery in Pleasant Prairie, WI. Stew will be dearly missed by many.
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All of us gather here today with broken hearts because Stew is no longer a physical presence in our lives. We are left with a powerful sense of loss. Where we are experiencing his loss- a missing piece- Stew is experiencing completeness- wholeness. Stew is home now in the loving embrace of our Lord in heaven. His journey is complete. He is reunited with his parents Stewart and Ellen and other family and friends. He is surrounded by love.
And while the broken pieces of your heart will never quite be the same, know that Stew would not want your heart to be troubled. May you find comfort in sweet memories, may you find peace in the ways you find him to still be a part of your present, and may you find hope in being reunited with him someday in the kingdom of God.
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Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Stew enjoyed his profession as an Owner-Operator Truck Driver for 57 years, contracting with many companies such as Quality Carrier, Parr, and Sinclair. Stew prided himself in his work and near clean driving record. Having only received one speeding ticket in his entire career made it coincidental that his handle name was “Lucky.”
Stew met his wife, Phyllis, in 1982 and soon moved to Wisconsin. They were married in Elkhorn, WI with a surprise ceremony at a family reunion in 1990. In their 42 years together, they enjoyed vacations with family and trips to the casino. Stew taught Phyllis how to drive a semi-truck and she taught him how to drive a motorcycle. They travelled all over the country together. In addition to trucking, Stew enjoyed driving smaller, sportier vehicles such as his Corvette and Lincolns. He was a member of the NRA and the Kenosha Moose Lodge.
Stew was a gentle man with a big heart who would help anyone in need. He was the guy that laughed at his own jokes. He wouldn’t be the loudest in the room, but some would say he was the sincerest. He was knowledgeable on current events along with many other topics and would have made for a worthy opponent on the gameshow Jeopardy.
It does feel like Stew’s 82 years went by way too quickly. While no length of time with our loved ones will ever seem long enough, it is an absolute blessing to have had Stew present on this earth for 8 decades. His time here and his time spent with each of you was a precious gift. When your world is feeling a little too empty, may you fill it with gratitude that your time here overlapped with Stew’s and that you were blessed to know him.
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There are so many stories to tell and memories to relive. Please, share the memories, share the love today and in the days and years to come so that Stew’s legacy may endure. Embrace and share with others the qualities of Stew that you love and miss so much. Drive slow and careful- there’s no hurry, enjoy a Little Debbie snack bar and a good nap, and remember Stew.
Stew will be forever missed by his wife Phyllis, his children Stewart Jr., William, Tammy, and Carolyn and their families, his 9 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and many other dear family members and friends.
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After graduating from Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School in 1961, Stew enlisted into the US Air Force Reserve serving as a Fire Protection Specialist, an Air Policeman, and a Security Policeman until being honorably discharged in 1968.
One definition of a Veteran, whether active duty, discharged, retired or reserve, is- someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to “The United States of America” for an amount of “up to, and including his/her life.” That is what Stew did. That is honor. That is a soldier.
“What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others remains immortal.” – Albert Pike
Stew’s service to our country will remain immortal. We thank Stew for his service and pay tribute to him with the Military Honors that he earned.
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Stew, may you rest in eternal peace knowing you are dearly loved.
My sincere condolences and love, Holly