Final Salute

Allen Jack Stewart, age 90, of Lenoir, passed away Thursday, November 5, 2020 at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care-Hudson. He was born April 29, 1930 in Solano County, CA to the late Donald and Ethel M. Skoglund Stewart. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Bobbie Bays.

Allen enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1948 and served in post-war Japan and the Korean War. After being discharged from the Navy in 1952, he attended UC Berkeley and earned a degree in Architecture. He then started an architecture firm in Nevada, Seldon & Stewart. He returned to the U.S. Navy and was commissioned as an officer in 1967, serving in the USN Civil Engineer Corps a total of 29 years, retiring in 1988 as a Captain. He attended Naval Post Graduate School and earned two masters: one in Urban Planning and the other in International Relations. He also attended the National War College. Upon retiring from the US Navy he served as the University Architect for Rutgers University, retiring in 1993.

Allen has been an active member of the Lenoir Community since 1993. He served on the Cajah’s Mountain Town Council, Economic Development Committee, Caldwell Memorial Hospital Foundation Board, Military Officers Association and Mustang Club of America. He was also a member of American Institute of Architetects (AIA) and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

His U.S. Navy career earned him several awards including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Bronze Star with Combat “V”, and the Joint Service Commendation Medal.

Survivors include his loving wife of 28 years, Mary Gail Stewart of the home; two sons, Duff Alan Stewart and special friend Randi Ingram of Dallas, Texas, and Allen Pichon III and wife Misti of Colleyville, TX; one daughter, Christine Diehl and husband John of Tipp City, Ohio; and nine grandchildren, Cameron Stewart, Courtney Stewart, Amanda Sauls, Ben Sauls, Olivia Diehl, Vivian Diehl, Dylan Pichon, Ryan Pichon and Ethan Pichon.

Due to COVID-19 funeral services will be private.

In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests memorial contributions be made to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 328B Woodsway Lane, Lenoir, NC or Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, NC 28645

Online condolences may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com.

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the Stewart family.