Obituary of Lee Roy Stewart

Lee Roy Stewart was born on September 3, 1939 in Pineville, Kentucky. He was the son of the late Roman Basil and Dorothy (Johnson) Stewart. The oldest son of fourteen children, Roy left home hitchhiking North at the age of 14. Along the way he did whatever it took to make ends meet; peddling vegetables, selling pop and juice, and even magazines. He eventually made it to Toledo where he began a career as a grill cook later working as the Drive-in Manager for Don’s. Roy married the love of his life the former Donna Brough on May 21, 1960, and from their union would come the birth of four children. Roy took employment with the Ford Motor Company serving thirty years as a Set-up Man, Committee Man, and Cleaner before his retirement in 1995. Roy enjoyed bowling and was a golf fanatic. He loved watching baseball, football, college basketball and old cowboy movies. Roy was an original, a true gentleman – committed, witty, loyal, honest, dedicated, charismatic, and straight forward; a wonderful family man beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was larger than life a mentor and hero to those who knew him. Roy, age 76 of Monroe, passed away on Thursday, August 11, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. In addition to his parents his passing was preceded by his beloved wife on April 5, 2014, and son-in-law: Brian Murray on April 12, 2016. To cherish his memory, he leaves four children: Lee Stewart Jr. (Desiree Dech); Doug Stewart; Don (Kristin) Stewart; and Beth Murray; siblings: Joyce (Jerry) Argabrite; Glenda Friebel; Martha “Marty” Elliott; Etta Faye (Art) Schmieder; Lester Stewart; Geneva “Jackie” (Scott) Moody; Leland (Elizabeth) Stewart; Jerry Stewart; Jack (Vivian) Stewart; Caroline (John) Stasiewicz; Stanley Stewart, Doyle Stewart; Bryan Stewart; grandchildren: Ashley (Richard) Collins; Alysia Stewart; Adam Murray; Alec Stewart; Allison Stewart; Nicholas Murray; and great grandchildren: Declan Murray and Cole Collins. Friends may gather from 2:00-8:00pm on Sunday August 14, 2016 and from 10:00-11:00am on Monday, August 15 at Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe 14567 South Dixie (734) 241-7070. A Celebration of his Life will follow at 11:00am on Monday also at Merkle’s with Pastor BJ McDaniel officiating. Procession will follow to Roselawn. Memorial donations are suggested to American Cancer Society – Relay for Life. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefh.com, “Add a Memory”.