James Wray Stewart

James Stewart, of Annandale, VA, passed away on August 1, 2024 at Inova Fairfax Hospital following a stroke. Jim was born at home in Bristow, Iowa on September 19, 1933. When his birth certificate arrived in the mail, his birthdate was listed as September 9, so his mother wrote a “1” in front of the “9” and never bothered to change it officially. Jim joked he had 2 birthdays – the real one and the government one!

Jim grew up in DeWitt Iowa, the youngest of 5 children to Charlie and Annie Stewart. Jim’s mother was 40 when he was born and she had little patience for an active little boy – so he ran around town, unsupervised! He had several serious accidents as a boy – an ankle caught in a tractor chain, a stick in the eye, as well as 3 broken collar bones, a broken wrist and a dislocated thumb. Despite his injuries, he became a high school track star and was recruited at both Iowa State and University of Iowa. He chose Iowa State and the high-jump record he set endured for 30 years before it was eventually broken (he was pre- Fosbury Flop). Jim majored in Landscape Architecture and, as a scholarship student, worked in the cafeteria to pay his way. At Iowa State, he met his wife, Barbara Martin, and they were married on Sept. 1, 1956.

They drove to Philadelphia where Jim started as a temporary landscape architect with the National Park Service (NPS). He took a furlough to complete his National Guard service and returned as a permanent landscape architect with the NPS. Their first child, Jeneen, was born in 1959 and the next year they moved to Homestead, FL where Jim joined a team to design access trails and a visitor center for the newly-established Everglades National Park. The boardwalks and landscape design through the park are a legacy of this early work.

While in Florida, Shelley, their second daughter, was born in 1961. Two years later he was transferred back to Philadelphia and their third daughter, Sandy, was born in 1964.

His final move with the NPS was in 1966 when the family moved to Arlington, VA and Jim worked in the headquarters of the Interior Department. Jim was promoted to Park Planner in the department of New Area Studies and Master Planning. Their final move was to Annandale in 1969 where they bought a much-loved, brand-new contemporary home on a wooded lot.

Jim, instilled with the midwestern values of hard work and honesty, had many professional successes and in 1989 he was named Assistant Director for Planning. He was recognized for Meritorious Service – a high honor bestowed by the US Government. After 38 years with the NPS, Jim retired in 1995.

His interests expanded after retirement – he learned classical guitar, he joined the Men’s Choral of Northern Virginia and traveled extensively with Barbara. They bought a camper and spent many happy years driving to the west and visiting friends with the Park Service. They drove all the way to Alaska and saw all the beauty of the wild lands of America. Jim was a faithful member of John Calvin Presbyterian Church, (a deacon, and elder of the Presbyterian church). He devoted many hours in service to the church, leading Buildings and Grounds committee. He led teams for “Rebuilding Together” and was a regular blood donor for the American Red Cross.

He took great pride and interest in his girls, their husbands, the grandchildren and great grandchildren. Jim happily helped with whatever building and repair projects his family had at their homes – building additions, play structures, rewiring outlets, fixing faucets and all manner of projects! He was a constant presence in his grandchildren’s lives and they loved their “Papa”.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Margaret “Marnie” Harris and her husband Glen, Jeanette Harris and her husband Lyle, Mary Ann Lauterbach and her husband Cecil and a brother, Don Stewart and his wife Lila.

Jim is survived by his wife of 67 years, Barbara Stewart, his daughters Jeneen Berry (Mike) of Charlotte, NC, Shelley Micali (Mark) of Arlington, VA, and Sandy Durbin (Martin), of Burke, VA. He was loved by his 10 grandchildren: Christopher Berry, Daniel Berry, Lauren Cox, Melissa Kossman (Vince), Michelle Berry, Emily Evans (Brett), Tyler Durbin (Kristin), Stephen Durbin (Gabrielle), Stewart Micali and Spencer Micali. He also has seven great-grandchildren: Mackenzie Cox, Payton Kossman, Lyla Kossman, Hailey Kossman, Eleanor Evans, Bentley Durbin, and Gigi Homer. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Diana Lauterbach and many nieces and nephews. Jim “Papa” Stewart will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

A memorial service will be held at John Calvin Presbyterian Church on September 14, 2024 at 1:00 pm, with a reception to follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: John Calvin Presbyterian Church (6531 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003) or Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church (10723 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22030), or a charity of your choice.