Gerald Edward Stewart, 82, of Battle Mountain also known as "Ed" passed away peacefully on May 2, 2012. His loving family was by his side through the early morning and the rest of his last day.
Ed was born Oct. 17, 1929, in Bedford, Ind., to Merle and Delta Stewart. As a kid he moved around a lot in Indiana before moving to Texas in 7th grade where Ed decided he knew enough and left school by 9th grade.
In 1947 he moved to Arizona and a few years later in 1949 he met Betty, the love of his life, who he proposed to after two dates. He got on a knee on a bridge in Globe, Ariz., and they married on July 27, 1949. Ed loved to tell that story and show a picture of where he proposed to his "Baby Doll" and continued to tell the story for the next 63 years of their love-filled marriage.
They lived in Superior, Ariz., where Ed worked for Kennecott Copper. They started their family and had three children Wanda, Andy and Loretta. In 1965 he was transferred to Duval Copper, so he picked-up and moved the family to Battle Mountain. His wife, Betty, did hair at the beauty shop in the first Swackhammer's Hardware store, which is now the dining room of The Owl Club Restaurant.
Ed was also known for his carpentry and has remodeled or built many of the houses and buildings around Battle Mountain. Almost every street you turn down there is a home or business that Ed had hammered a nail in.
While working as a foreman for Duval Mine he also opened Stewart's Corner in 1975. He loved to sale and chat with customers so much, he put the mining industry behind him and left Battle Mountain Gold Company formerly known as Duval in 1979. He continued with his entrepreneurial spirit and built Stewart's Sales brick by brick Broad Street. In 1988 he sold the building, which has served many other purposes and businesses. Today it's known as the Family Resource Center.
Over the years, Ed and Betty worked as vendors and sold a variety of merchandise at local county fairs such as the Elko County Fair. Ed would recruit his family members to help at the fairs and have them set-up pipe and sale merchandise. But you better have folded the blankets just right.
Ed loved to tinker, build and create, which gave him the idea to expand his business. He converted a camp trailer into a mobile store, which he called "The Sale Trailer". This allowed Ed and Betty to sale at more events in neighboring states or anywhere they wanted, like the side of a road.
He lived a life full of family, hard work and adventures and there wasn't anything that could stop him. One way or another, he figured out life for himself and his family with his hardworking hands. If you ever wanted to know how it was done, just ask him, he'd show you how it's done.
Ed is survived by his wife Betty Stewart, brother Larry (Darlena) Stewart, children Wanda (Thomas) Broadway, Andy (Crystie) Stewart, Loretta (Robbie) Sallee, grandchildren Camie (Mike) Gray, Ginger (Brian) Garner, Tanisha (Kip) McAlexander, Rashawna Stewart, Katashua (Chad) Oki, Courtney (Dan) Tomera, Dennis (Sarah) White, Timothy White and great grandchildren Kevin, Jordan, Travis, Bailee, Anna, Abbey, Ashlynn, Madison, Kane, Braden, LaRae, Brody, and many nieces and nephews.
Ed was proceeded in death by his parents Merle and Delta Stewart, sisters Wanda LeeMae Stewart, Merlene Gumfory, Frances McNees, Delora Jeppson and great-great grandson Haygen Dwayne Wehe.
Services were held at the Battle Mountain Civic Center, Sunday, May 6, 2012, at 2 p.m.
Ed was loved by many and will be greatly missed. To the world he was just a man, but to his family he was their rock.
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