James W. Steward

When I think of my father, I envision a tall man dressed in a tuxedo, wearing a top hat and carrying a walking stick. James Willard Steward, known affectionately as "Jimpsey," crossed over from this sorrowful and broken world into the brilliant light of eternal peace. He was met at the portal by his beloved grandson, Whit, his grandmother, Mary Varina Wylie, his grandfather, J.J. Wylie, his mother, Mabel Wylie Steward, his aunt and uncle, Rena and John Ward, a legion of friends which shared in his abundant life, the extended Booth family and all of the pets that he walked, daily, around the neighborhood. A descendent of the well-respected Wylie family, his grandmother Mary Varina graciously donated the land upon which the old Wylie schoolhouse was built and for whom the city of Wylie is named. Jimpsey was an intelligent, cultured man, probably in his lifetime, having read 100,000 books. One could ask him about the world and its intricacies, and he would, undoubtedly know the answer, which would then be launched into a treatise. He adored classical music and was a fine musician himself---his chosen instrument was the flute. He was educated at Hardin Simmons University, where he was a member of the band. Not only was he wise and learned, he was a gourmet cook, since his new bride was never able to boil water, by her own admission. He married Dr. Mary Booth Steward, a remarkable woman ahead of her time---the first anesthesia resident at Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas. They were married on November 3, 1950. He served the United States of America in the Navy in the South Pacific. He gained prominence as one of the finest land men in the state of Texas and remained so until he retired around the age of seventy five. A few years later, retirement was not all that it had promised to be, so he emerged from retirement and continued to provide his colleagues with consultation. He was still climbing on the roof until the age of eighty and still driving until the age of ninety five, when an intervention by his daughter and unknown accomplice, occurred, that was unsuccessful; however, he finally relinquished the keys to his very best friend, Tod Lawrence. Jimpsey is survived by his wife, Dr. Mary Booth Steward, who was his devoted caretaker, personal physician and backseat driver. He is also survived by his daughters, Christina Steward and Caroline Cammack, who depended upon his advice and loved him, unconditionally. We will miss his uncanny sense of humor and all of those evenings that we had dinner at Deutschlander Garden, devouring the best fried catfish on the earth. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, can be sent to THE WHIT CAMMACK FOUNDATION, PO Box 6372, Denver, Colorado, 80206. These donations will become part of Whit's college fund, which provides scholarships to those in financial need and will be the legacy left by adoring grandfather and cherished grandson. Our gracious thanks to all that supported our family during his illness. Please join us to celebrate the life of this unforgettable man. Graveside services will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at the Abilene Municipal Cemetery, Masonic Section, (1133 Cottonwood, off of North Treadaway Blvd.) in the Wylie family plot. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.