Gary Wayne Steward

Gary Wayne Steward, 64, of Lumberton, died Monday, June 20, 2022, in his home.  He was born on August 24, 1957, in Beaumont, to Rose “Peggy” Koppa Steward and William James Steward, Sr.

Gary grew up in a loving home in Beaumont and played baseball as a youth, spending summers at the family farm in Deridder, Louisiana.  He graduated from French High School in 1975, studied at Lamar University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering.  For several years, he worked as a Project Engineer for Halliburton in Beaumont and later transferred to Katy.

He coached little league, was involved in Boy Scouts, and was a role model of hard work for these boys.  In addition to his career, he devoted much of his energy over many decades to maintaining his grandfather’s farm, which was a very special place for him.

Gary was a huge fan of LSU football and baseball, never missing a game!  During football season, all plans were made surrounding the football games schedule and he could be found on the couch coaching the team along with much enthusiasm.

In the last several years he worked for the Army Corp of Engineers at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and recently transferred to Port Arthur in 2021 after marrying Tanya, his fellow classmate from 7^th grade and throughout high school.  They had only three years together, which was so short, but filled with great love and joy, spending time together, doing the things they loved while raising two of Tanya’s grandsons.  Gary was devoted to Tanya and these two boys, getting them to soccer practice, attending all their games, helping them with homework, and distilling in them a very good work ethic.

Survivors include his wife, Tanya Steward; children, Christopher Steward of Houston and Benjamin Steward and his wife, Nikki, of Deridder, Louisiana; stepchildren, Jessica Otte, Jarrod Rozean, and Jalee Dudley; grandchildren, Brooklyn, Brenna, and Blair Steward; siblings, William J. Steward and his wife, Betty, of Nome; Peggy Ann McCabe of Springfield, Missouri; and Cathy Murphy Rabb and her husband, Milton, of Beaumont; and step grandchildren, Caleb, Caraline, Christian, Olivia, Chase, Urijah, and Gracelynn.  He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Shirley Sue Gilmer.

A gathering of Gary’s family and friends will be 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, June 23, 2022, at Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee.  His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 24, 2022, at Broussard’s, with her interment to follow at Franks Branch Cemetery, Fred.  Afterwards,  guests are invited to gather at the Munro’s Kitchen, 1595 Liberty at Gulf Street, Beaumont.