Thomas Bruce Stewart was born in Talihina, Oklahoma on December 14, 1944 to Martha (Baily) Stewart and Thomas A. Stewart. He lived most of his early years in California. He attended Lawndale High School, El Camino College and the University of California, Los Angeles.

He married Linda McGeeley on October 1, 1983 at Pickett Chapel in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. He worked in business administration for various tribes throughout his career, including the Muscogee Creek Nation and the Seminole Nation.

He loved sports, especially football, and was an OU Sooners fan. He enjoyed cooking for his family, and his kids and grandkids were always asking him to fix them Pepper Steak, Lasagna or Burritos. He was a loving husband, father, and the best grandpa any kid could ask for. His grandchildren lovingly called him Pop-pop. He loved spoiling his grandchildren. Even the kids at church knew he would have some gummy worms or candy in his pocket that he would give them.

He was a member of Middle Creek #2 Baptist Church and served as a trustee. He accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior in 2009 and was baptized on Easter Sunday. His favorite scripture was John 15:13 and his favorite Native hymn was Mekvsvpe Fvllvna.

Thomas passed away at his home in Holdenville on Tuesday, December 3, 2013, at the age of 68 years.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Martha Baily Stewart, and his father, Rev. Thomas A. Stewart.

He is survived by:

His wife, Linda, of the home

Four sons:
Kirk Stewart and wife Sally of Portland, Oregon
Christopher Stewart and wife Sabrina of Chatsworth, California
Jared Stewart of Seminole
Todd Stewart and wife Tia of Shawnee

Two daughters:
Summer, and husband Jon Heffley of Holdenville
Kristina Stewart of Chatsworth, California

Two brothers:
Eugene Stewart of Porter Ranch, California
Russell Stewart of Tulsa

One sister, Ruth Stewart of Hollywood, Florida

Eleven grandchildren:
Samantha Stewart, Patrick Thomas Stewart, Carissa Stewart,
Alisha Stewart, Jared Stewart II, Jase Stewart, Jayden Stewart,
Tafv Stewart, Amadylin Heffley, Morgan Heffley, and Lacie Heffley.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 5, 2013, at Middle Creek #2 Baptist Church, and Thomas will be laid to rest in the Holdenville Cemetery. Rev. George Harjochee is the officiating minister. Pallbearers are Ian Stewart, Paul Wolfe, Thomas Wolfe, Troy Yargee, Tinker Jones, and Tommy Taylor. Honorary pallbearers are Roy Yargee, Donald Yargee, Jerry Deer, Jimmy Taylor, and Bennie Lena.