Douglas John Stewart

Madison - Douglas John Stewart, age 64 passed away on Friday, June 8, 2018 at University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison after a serious illness, surrounded by family. He was born on April 8, 1954 in Harvey, IL to parents Jean and Warren Stewart.

Douglas was a proud graduate of Memorial High School in Madison, class of 1975. He also completed a Technical Degree in Culinary Arts in 2005 at Madison College.
Places of employment included Pedro's, PDQ, Kramer Printing, Walmart, Placon Corporation, Barriques, Vondra Engraving, Department of Health Services, Manchester Place, Madison Opportunity Center, Goodwill, and sitting as Santa Claus at West Towne Mall. Douglas delivered the Milwaukee Journal Sunday paper throughout Nakoma for over 15 years. He was active in boy scouts through high school.

Douglas was a longtime member of Heritage Congregational Church, where he loved watching construction of their new church facility, being in the Men's club, and helping in the kitchen.

Douglas was an avid volunteer in the Madison area. He was a 3+ gallon donor to the American Red Cross. He loved volunteering for the following organizations: Brat Fest (11 years), Concerts on the Square, 4th of July events at Westmoreland and Elver Parks, Wisconsin Public Television auctions, Jerry Lewis Telethon, Rhythm & Booms, Art Fair on the Square, Opera in the Park, Taste of Madison and many others. In his teen years he set up a Ronald McDonald Muscular Dystrophy carnival at his family home in Nakoma.

Douglas knew where every bus in Madison would take you and he knew how to get anywhere. For many years he enjoyed riding his bike throughout the city. He took a cake decorating class and delivered cakes to family members on their birthdays. He enjoyed decorating with Christmas lights and could never have enough lights. He loved to travel and especially enjoyed a Disney Cruise in the Caribbean and a trip to Hawaii. If you needed to find him, he would be at the newest construction site, observing. He loved electronics, wiring, and taking things apart to fix them.

Family meant the world to Douglas. He was a caring son, brother, and uncle. He will be missed by his mother Jean Potter Stewart, sister Marilyn (Jim) Weaver, brother David, sisters Carol (David) Ray, Margaret (Kurt) Straus, Mary Jean (Bruce) Glasgow, 19 nieces and nephews, 5 grand nephews and niece, and 17 cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Warren Earl Stewart, 4 grandparents, and 2 cousins.

A celebration of Douglas' life will be held on Saturday, June 16th at 11 am at Heritage Congregational Church, 3102 Prairie Rd, Madison, WI 53719. There will be a visitation at the church from 9 - 11 am. A luncheon will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Douglas' name to the American Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org) or 4860 Sheboygan Ave, Madison, WI 53705; Professor Warren E Stewart Memorial Scholarship Fund (#132214536) through the UW-Madison Foundation (https://secure.supportuw.org/give) or PO Box 8860, Madison, WI 53708; or Heritage Congregational Church (address above).

The family would like to thank the staff at the University of Wisconsin Hospital for their heroic efforts, including Dr. Dunbar, Dr. Aggarwal, nurses David, Nikki, Melissa, Lori, Ryan, Sam, Tracey and the cardiac team on B4/5 for their outstanding care.

The world is a better place because he was here. He allowed all of us to see the world with a different perspective. He led a full life and enjoyed it immensely. He is now at peace in heaven.
Please share your memories online at www.cressfuneralservice.com.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
608-238-3434