The obituary - in full

Gordon Albert Stewart, age 90, was released to his heavenly home on Sunday, August 28, 2016 after a brief illness.  Visitation will be Thursday, September 1st, at Miller Funeral Home from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. and a memorial service will be held on Friday, September 2, at 1st Baptist Church in Sioux Falls at 1:00 p.m.

Born March 22, 1926, Gordon was the oldest of five children born to A.O. and Lillian Stewart in Norbeck, SD.  A.O. and Lillian had a small farm there were they raised their family.  Siblings David, Betty, Vonnie and Roger spent their youth learning the value of hard work, discipline and faith in God through the challenges of the Great Depression.  A.O. taught his children by giving them the  opportunity to choose their path.  At the age of 13, Gordon earned a lamb for a summer of farm work and had the choice to sell it or raise it.  Gordon raised the lamb and eventually had a flock which helped finance his first car, part of a lifelong love with all things motorized. 

World War II service in the Army called and Gordon served stateside as clerk typist.  He later encouraged his children to learn to type because “you just never knew when it might come in handy” — this was before the advent of the personal computer.  

After being discharged from the Army, Gordon planned to attend Sioux Falls College.  However, having missed so much school to work on the family farm, college coursework wasn’t too satisfying.  Experiences in his growing-up years in a post-depression farming situation in South Dakota instilled in Gordon the knowledge that success requires careful planning and hard work. While a student at Sioux Falls College in 1950, he bought a financially troubled beauty salon at 18th and Grange in Sioux Falls that employed his cousin, Belva, who operated it and wih his financial management, Gordon began a successful business career. 

In the June of 1950, Gordon decided to reinforce his knowledge of his business enterprise by enrolling in a local beauty academy. He continued his studies in Detroit and bought back training to South Dakota to help him build a large and loyal clientele.

In addition to staring a business and a new career, Gordon enjoyed the young adult fellowship at First Baptist Church.  While sitting in the balcony on Sunday, an attractive young lady caught his eye.  Deloris (Dee) Renner caught his heart as well as his eye and it wasn’t long until he convinced her to share his life.  Gordon and Dee’s wedding was the first wedding in the new sanctuary at First Baptist’s new 22nd and Covell location on a hot June day in 1952.  Gordon’s only request for the wedding was for Dee to be on time.  His request was made impossible to fulfill because the lack of air conditioning discouraged the guests from arriving before the last possible minute, leaving the bride waiting for the aisle to clear.

Dee, Gordon’s energetic spouse, was invaluable help in these early years of the salon business, assisting in a variety of ways, including laundering towels, acting as receptionist and helping with the bookkeeping. Gordon purchased three more salons and, in 1955, his brother David joined the business. 

As a solution to the shortage of skilled stylists, in 1956, the first Stewart School of Hairstyling opened in Sioux Falls. In 1959, a Sioux City Iowa school opened and another brother, Roger, joined Stewart Enterprises. 

Soon, growth spread throughout South Dakota and into Iowa and Nebraska. Training became a high priority and such featured nationally renowned guest hairstylists began sharing outstanding talent.  Stewart schools developed a curriculum that now surpasses most in the country. 

In the 1990s, Stewarts operated salons and schools in seven upper midwest states with additional salons operated by second generation Stewarts in California, Colorado, Massachusetts and Texas.  

Gordon and Dee were blessed with three children, Randy, Michelle and Kristi.  Gordon took an avid interest in encouraging the kids’ education and activities. A fixture in the stands or audience, proudly displaying the results of their hard work in his office for all to see.

In spite of not completing his college course work, Gordon was dedicated to the importance of Christian education and served for decades on the University of Sioux Falls’ board of trustees, several as Chairman of the Board.  He and his siblings put forward money to build the Stewart Center, which is named in honor of A.O. and Lillian. He also served on the board of the Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Department, was a board member of First National Bank and the then named Sioux Valley Hospital.  He was active in the community organizations including Forward Sioux Falls, the Downtown Rotary and the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation.  He was honored as South Dakota Philanthropist of the Year.  In word and deed, Gordon demonstrated his commitment to Christ through his everyday actions. 

His hobbies involved all things motorized.  In 1962, bought a new Chevrolet Corvette. It was fast and Gordon had the tickets to prove it.  His enthusiasm for cars opened the opportunity to own one of 50 1964 Hemi Barracuda Lightweights. The car, known as The Hairbender dominated the region’s dragways.  In 1968, another limited production of Light Weights brought The Hairbender Too to dominate the tracks.  Gordon also went to driver’s school and spent weekends road racing an Italian built Osca and Lola.  The trophies from both the drag racing and road racing held places of honor at the Stewart company enterprises.  

Gordon also loved motorcycles and used it as a way to stay connected with his children and enjoyed weekends at a ranch in western South Dakota on dirt bikes and in dune buggies. 

In later years, Gordon and Dee enjoyed time spent in Santa Barbara, CA, walking along the sea wall and beaches and having coffee at the wharf and Java Station.  Gordon struck up friendships with a multitude of people from all social and economic walks of life.  He treasured these friendships and looked forward to the annual visits.  He drove to California, usually making the trip in two days claiming to be taking slow.    

Recently, he spent days working in grandson Parker’s growing business folding tee-shirts to be shipped to customers.  He was a regular supporter of his grandkids activities making those events a priority on his calendar.

Gordon was known to all as a gentle person, who cared deeply for his family and friends. Though not a man of many words those blessed with his presence could tell you of the wisdom he shared with countless people. Those closest to him could tell you many stories of how he encouraged people to pursue their dreams.

Grateful for having shared his life are his life’s love Dee, children Randall (Sara) of Sioux Falls, Michelle (Mark) Brenner of Santa Barbara, CA and Kristi (Bill) of Wall Lake. Grandchildren Parker Stewart of Sioux Falls, Connor Stewart of Sioux Falls, Paige Brenner of San Francisco, CA, Sam Brenner of Santa Barbara, CA, Evie Golden of Wall Lake and Bess Golden of Wall Lake and 4 great grandchildren Carter, Ashtyn, Braxton Stewart and Presley Stewart all of Sioux Falls.  Siblings Betty Fillbach, Vonnie Griffith and Roger (Carol) Stewart of Sioux Falls and nephews, nieces and extended family.  Gordon was welcomed into heaven by parents A.O. and Lillian Stewart, brother David and sister-in-law Fran.