James "Jimmy" Stewart

James F Stewart of University Place, unexpectedly passed away on February 4th, 2025. Jim or Jimmy as he liked to be called, was born on October 4th, 1941, in Tacoma. He attended Rogers Elementary School until third grade before moving with his family to Calgary, Canada. While in Calgary, Jimmy was an avid hockey player and excelled as goalie. In high school, he moved back to Tacoma and attended Stadium High School for a few years, until he had the opportunity to be part of the first graduating class of Woodrow Wilson High School. In 1957, he won the local Soap Box Derby and had the honor of competing in the national competition in Akron, Ohio. The renowned actor Jimmy Stewart attended the event and, upon learning that a young man shared his name, sought out our father and spent time with him, watching the derby together. After graduating, Jimmy briefly attended the University of Washington before choosing to work for Weyerhaeuser instead. This decision would end up being one of the best decisions he ever made. While at Weyerhaeuser, he kept seeing a young lady, who he described as “the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.” That woman was Nancy, his beloved wife. They dated for 2 ½ years and married in 1963 at Holy Cross Catholic Church. In 1968, they built a house in University Place, which ended up being their forever home. Jimmy was actively involved in the youth sports community for most of his life. In the 70’s, he ran the South End Boys and Girls Club for three years. When he was hired, the program had 60 boys and just one girl. By the time he left, he had grown participation to 300 local children who attended regularly. Jimmy coached all three of his children in basketball at St. Charles Borromeo. Recognizing the lack of opportunities for young girls in the early 1980’s, he established a widely popular 6th-grade girls’ basketball tournament at the St. Charles gym. For several years, teams from across Western Washington came to compete. Throughout the 1980s, he served as President of the Tacoma Umpire Association and was a well-respected umpire, as well as a popular basketball and volleyball referee. Jimmy was the first person to purchase season tickets for the newly formed Seattle Seahawks. While placing his order, a misprint in the local paper led him to accidently call Mr. Nordstrom’s private secretary. He also founded the team’s first fan club and even painted a large Seahawk logo over his fireplace, where it remains to this day. Jimmy was manager of Medical Rentals for years, a job that he looked back on fondly. He was an active member and Commodore of the Tacoma Outboard Association and Day Island Yacht Club. He was a diehard UW fan, a passion he passed down to his children and grandson, and he often ended conversations with a spirited “Go Dawgs!” Jimmy was a proud father to his three children and four grandchildren. He was a gifted storyteller with a generous heart, always willing to help a friend in need. He loved life, cherished conversations, and had a deep fondness for animals. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Jimmy is survived by his two daughters Erin Alexander (Paul), Heather Long (Robert), and son Blake Stewart (Heather). He is also survived by his grandchildren Emma and Laney Alexander and Makenzie and Brandon Stewart. Our family would also like to give a heartfelt thank you to the University Place Cutter Point staff for their unwavering kindness and support for our father in his final years. And finally, to everyone who have known and loved him: “Have a wonderful life!”