Elliott "Don" Donald Stewart, Iii

Elliott "Don" Stewart III, 56, of Olathe, Kansas passed away on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. He was born on December 1, 1965 in Charlotte, North Carolina to Elliott & LaWanda Stewart (Williamson) Stewart.

Much of Don's childhood was spent in Nashville, TN where his extended family resided. He had fond memories of the time spent there with all of his grandparents (both fraternal & maternal), his aunts, uncles, and all of his cousins. Neighborhood camping trips, church trips, and spending time in nature were the norm in Nashville.

Later Don's family moved to Plano, TX. and this is where he put down the majority of his life's roots and milestones. He always considered himself a Texan.

Don attended Plano East Senior High School where he was active in Band (the drumline) & theatre and he also played varsity baseball and football. It was here, at PESH, that he formed what would become life long friendships with students as well as many of his teachers.

After graduation Don's love for music led him to Belmont University in Nashville, TN. Don was involved with many community events while at Belmont where he met a variety of country music entertainers: Ronnie Milsap and Reba to name a few. He enjoyed his time at Belmont but it became evident that it was going to be difficult to land a music career. So, he transferred to Texas A&M University.

It was at Texas A &M that Don's leadership skills took flight. He was a member of Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity where he served as chapter president. Don graduated from Texas A&M in 1989 with a Bachelor's of Business Administration in Management. He remained close friends w/his fraternity brothers throughout the years and his love for Aggieland never waned.

After graduation Don returned to the Dallas Ft. Worth area to begin his career in sales. Throughout the years he moved from sales to sales manager, national sales manager, and ultimately Vice President of Sales. Throughout his career Don worked for Northern Telecom, Check Systems, Fisher Scientific, Labconco, Cole-Parmer, and Harvard BioScience, respectively. In the words of his co-workers he was a kind, fair, a true leader and mentor. Don fully enjoyed what he did and those he met in his professional life. He made the time to show up for everyone who reached out, providing caring, trustworthy and sound counsel always. This legacy will remain and continue with those he hired and trained who are now managers and mentors themselves.

Shortly after starting his career he met the love of his life Pamela "Pam" (Thomas) Stewart and they spent almost 30 years together. They were married in 1993 and resided 18 years in the Houston area. It was Don's job that led them to Olathe Kansas where they spent the last 14+ years. They loved the Midwest and it was there that Don learned to fly fish. In 2017 Don & Pam purchased a condo on the lake of the Ozarks where they enjoyed spending most weekends. At the lake Don could be seen heading out early in the morning in his bass boat to fish he lake or he could be found on the dock fishing in the afternoons.

While they never had children of their own Don & Pam owned 3 beloved black labs and a labradane who preceded Don in death. It was their big Dane Baloo that Don would miss the most during his extended rehab and hospital stays and their reunions were magical.

Don loved Jesus the most and it was his deep faith and church family that carried him through the last 20 months.

Don is survived by his loving wife, Pam Stewart; Parents Ed & LaWanda Stewart; and his brother and sister in law Doug and Cindee Stewart.

In lieu of flowers the family requests your presence at the Celebration of Life ceremony, March 25, 2023 at 1:00p.m.

Eagles Landing @ Lake Olathe
475 S. Ward Cliff Drive
Olathe, KS 66061

Don loved to fish, in his kayak, on Lake Olathe. He will be missed by family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors.

When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot you have taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.






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