Edward (ED) Gene Stewart

Edward (Ed) Gene Stewart was born on December 12,1942 to William (Bill) and Viola Mae (Martin) Stewart in Alva, Oklahoma and passed from this life on June 26,2026, at the age of 83 years. Ed attended the Alva Public Schools. During his high school year’s he was active in football, basketball and track relishing playing alongside both of his brothers, Billy Andy and Danny Ray. As well as working for one of his favorite school principals, Mr. Lee Haley farming and putting up bales of hay an interest that carried over later in his life. Following his high school graduation in 1961 Ed enrolled at Northwestern Oklahoma State University where he pursued his Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education. While at Northwestern Ed rediscovered his interest in history taking numerous different history courses and was active in the athletic department and was a member of the football team. Upon graduation in 1966 Ed began his teaching career in Kansas at St. Leo teaching history, science as well as coaching basketball, softball and track. From St. Leo Ed moved to the Nashville-Zenda Schools continuing to teach the same subjects and coach the high school football team which in 1969 became the Kansas State 8 Man State Champions. Ed was also named the 1969 Coach of the Year. He later moved to Maize, Kansas as the football coach and assistant basketball and track coach, teaching government, history and economics. Ed returned to NWOSU as a graduate assistant an experience that he believes helped him to improve his coaching skills such as how to coach those players you were once playing with as a team member. He also stated that one of the most rewarding experiences was when they were able to take the team to the 1971 Boot Hill Bowl. Although the win wasn’t for them the players were unified in their effort but as in life you don’t always win. At the invitation of a friend Ed took a position in the Ponca City, Oklahoma Schools teaching government, world history, driver’s education and being an assistant football and track coach. While at Ponca City Ed had numerous memories of scouting different teams with the other coaches and he would tell of the tennis coach always providing his German Shepherd, Bismarck with tennis balls to chase. Another of his memories that he would retell several times took place at a football banquet where Barry Switzer was the guest speaker. Ed asked Barry if he was looking for a prospect who could run the 330 in 40 seconds, could catch and would hit hard for his team? After Barry replied “sure”, Ed delivered his punch line “this prospect runs on all four” referring to his dog, Bismarck. During his tenure at Ponca City Ed made several friends that he maintained throughout his life. It was during this time his father passed away and Ed felt like he needed to return to Alva to care for his mother. Leaving Ponca City was a tough decision but he put his mother first. After moving back to Alva Ed and his brother Billy started their farming experiences raising cattle and growing hot house tomatoes. During this period in Ed’s life he was approached regarding a teaching and coaching positions with the Alva School system. Ed accepted the offer and taught world history, government, Oklahoma History, driver’s education, physical education and was an assistant football coach and head track coach. Ed’s time as an educator was especially fulfilling for him at Alva as he was teaching for a few years with his brother, Billy who was teaching math and the successes his track teams had in state competitions. After 27 years as an educator Ed retired from the Alva Public Schools. During his time in education he was a member of OEA, local and state Coaches Associations. Ed was most proud of his Kansas 8 Man State Championship, the Coach of the Year but more importantly being able to teach in his hometown, being able to encourage his student athletes to do their best and being able to teach the kids of many of his own high school classmates. Following his retirement Ed and his brother continued and expanded their farming and cattle raising endeavors or as was often stated by them their hobby. Following Billy’s passing in 2015 Ed continued the farming and cattle operation until in 2020 when Ed’s health began to fail him. Although Ed never married his family were his German Shepherd dogs, Max(2), Jasper, Sport, Lady, Bismarck, Max(1), Beau, Rex and Willy. We are sure many of you remember seeing a white pickup with a feeder on the back and a German Shepherd hanging his head out the rear window. Ed was preceded in death by his parents William (Bill) and Viola(Stewart) Hofen and Stepdad Everett Hofen, his brothers Billy Andy, Danny Ray and his wife Jane, his youngest sister Janice Sue Fisher. Ed is survived by his sister Sharon Yeager and husband Bill, of Woodward, a sister-in-law, Katherine Stewart and brother-in-law, Kirt Fisher, both of Alva. Ed is also survived by his nieces and nephews that he was so proud of, Linda Sue (Stewart) Hinson and husband John of Oklahoma City, OK, Bill Don Stewart of Alva, Danell (Stewart) Roberson and husband Rich of Salem, WI, Christopher Stewart of Chino Valley, AZ, Kevin Fisher and wife Michele, of Alexandria, VA, Chad Fisher and wife Melissa, of Alva, Shay (Yeager) Batenhorst and husband Greg, of Dalhart, TX, Traci Yeager, of Woodward, OK and other relatives and friends. The family would like to thank CompleteOK Hospice Care and Beadles Nursing Home for taking such good care of Ed and his family during Ed’s failing health. We also would like to give a special thanks to Ed’s great nephew, Braxton Fisher for the care he gave to his Uncle Ed and to Kathy Stewart for her help in caring for Ed.

Edward (ED) Gene Stewart

December 12, 1942 - June 26, 2026