BERNARD BYRON STEWART

Bernard Byron Stewart, lovingly referred to as Byron by his family, graced this world on January 5, 1956. Byron was the fourth of five children born to the late Thomas Lee Stewart and Florence Eloise Stewart at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas. Byron and his siblings were “Army Brats”. They lived in numerous places throughout the United States and also the continents of Europe and Asia. His childhood was filled with many adventures in strange lands and numerous devilish escapades with his partner in crime…Vincent. As the tales go, these two were quite the pair as they were born exactly one year and two days apart. One of their favorite past times, to this day, was to terrorize their younger sister Cindy. Byron’s father retired from the U.S. Army to San Antonio, Texas in 1969 and this became the family’s forever home. Byron went on to graduate from Sam Houston High School in 1975. His claim to fame in his high school years were his basketball skills, his creativity and talented artistry. At this point in the story of Bernard B. Stewart, let’s recite one of his favorite phrases to chronicle and celebrate the multi-faceted, multi-talented, “soul” of a man he was…

THAT MAN was a husband, devoted father, brother, son, uncle, nephew and friend!! If you know Byron, you know that he LOVED family and he met very few strangers. He was especially proud of the family he built with his wife, Mary Jayne Taylor-Stewart. Byron was the very proud father of D’Shawn Michael, Robin Thomas and Christopher Aaron. Byron loved and cherished his sons with all of his heart and often said he lived for his kids. More recently, his heart was stolen by his beautiful grandsons, Karsen Michael and Avery Charles. Byron was the brother that could be called on at any time, day or night, when his siblings were in need. He was also adored by his nieces and nephews as well, most of whom he took care of as children and continued to maintain strong connections and bonds through calls, texts, visits and special packages sent through the mail. He chronicled all family gatherings, visits and get togethers through his love of photography. The majority of the photos being viewed today were taken and archived by Byron himself. He also developed a great love for genealogy and developed a vast archive of family history and documents for our family to carry on.

THAT MAN was an avid sportsman and creative soul!! Young Byron broke records, won championships and was definitely an untapped talent in the world of Basketball. In his early years in the Air Force, he won several Squadron and Base Championships. Byron was also a die hard Dallas Cowboys fan and took any opportunity he could find to talk smack about his team. Byron lived and breathed all things creative. His love for music, art, photography and building anything from small models to the infamous larger than life Mothership for the Parliament Funkadelic kept us in awe. Byron’s artwork has been purchased and utilized in HBO films as well as showcased in promotions and events for such legends as George Clinton, Bootsy Collins and many other talented musicians and performers in the P-Funk family. His music room and autographed guitar collection was a live history lesson. Lastly, the mural designed by Byron and dear friend Victor is still present for all to see at Sam Houston High School.

THAT MAN was a servant!! Byron joined his family lineage by serving our country in the United States Air Force for 20 years. During his years of service, Byron was stationed in Washington and Germany. He served during Operation Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia and England and was also stationed at Shemya Air Force Base in Alaska. Byron and his family lived in Bitburg, Germany; Cannon AFB in New Mexico and Davis Monthan AFB in Arizona where he ended his service career. Throughout his tenure, Byron was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal among other ribbons and awards. One of his proudest moments was witnessing his son, Christopher follow in the footsteps of both of his parents by joining the U.S. Air Force and graduate from Basic Training at Lackland AFB where his Mom and Dad both attended. After relocating to San Antonio in 2009, Byron found other ways to connect and serve by becoming a Founding Member of the San Antonio Chapter of the Sam Houston Breakfast Club. Through this organization, Sam Houston Alumni remain in contact and provide support to students and faculty at the historic Sam Houston High School.

Byron was joyful, fun, loving and fun-loving. He made everyone in his presence feel special and a part of him. He departed this life leaving us all with many special memories and large shoes to fill in carrying his legacy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Florence Stewart and his older sister and brother, Jacqueline and Lowell. He leaves to cherish his memory, his sons, D’Shawn, Robin, Christopher and daughter in love, Kristen; grandchildren Karsen and Avery; siblings Vincent (Jamesetta) and Cynthia; nieces and nephews Tamara, Camessa, Jason, Brandon and Tia and a host of great nieces and nephews, “adopted children”, family and special friends from Huntleigh Park and his first and last Air Force buddies, Chuck and Zimmy.