On Tuesday, April 29, 2014, Neil Stott Stewart, age 96, passed away in Gardnerville, Nevada. He was born on August 25, 1917 to Alice Stott Stewart and Neil Murdoch Stewart. Neil married Melba Katheryn Richardson on May 28, 1948 in Portland, Oregon. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Los Angeles LDS Temple. They were married for 52 years, until her passing on September 4, 2000.
In 1939, Neil left to serve a 2½ year mission in Samoa for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He became the Principal of the church school in Mapasaga on the island of Tutuila, Samoa. He was evacuated from Samoa due to the conflicts arising before the start of WWII. He finished his mission on the big island of Hawaii. Neil attended Utah State Agricultural College his first year and then attended and graduated from Brigham Young University. Neil was also a WWII veteran joining the United States Navy as a PBY pilot in 1942. He was stationed in North Africa where he served the bulk of his time, before receiving an honorable discharge at the end of 1945 at the rank of Lieutenant. Neil then began a successful career in the airline transportation business serving 36 years at Western Airlines. He rose to become an officer of the company, with his last assignment as Corporate Vice President of Government and Industrial Affairs. Neil and Melba left Potomac, Maryland and settled in Las Vegas, Nevada before he retired. In Las Vegas, he began a career in real estate and lived there until Melba passed. He then relocated to the Carson Valley to live with his daughter, Vickie, and her husband, Dan. Neil spent his last few years living at Merrill Gardens Assisted Living in Gardnerville, Nevada where he enjoyed the company of many wonderful people. Neil will be missed by his family, friends and many acquaintances.
He is survived by his daughters: Mary Paige (Juan) Vasquez; and Vickie (Dan) Kunst; his grandson: Gregory D. (Sarah) Kunst; and his great-granddaughters: Judianne Victoria Kunst and Madeleine Rose Kunst. He was preceded in death by his wife: Melba; and a son: Neil Stott Stewart, Jr. who passed away in 1990.
Funeral: Friday, May 2, at 10:00 AM at the Minden, Nevada LDS Church.
A Graveside service will be held on May 3, at 2 PM, at the Meadow Cemetery. A viewing will be held at the Meadow LDS Church, 12:30-1:40 PM, before traveling to the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family invites contributions in Neil’s honor to BYU Athletic Scholarships. To donate, go to give.byu.edu/neil-stewart.