Clyde Stewart, Jr.

Graveside services for Clyde Stewart, Jr., 87, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Blue Mound Cemetery, with David Ball presiding and under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Stewart passed away at midnight Monday, February 9, 2026 at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, Missouri after a brief battle with cancer.

He was born October 17, 1938 in Pottersville, Missouri, to Clyde Stewart, Sr. and Ruth Elizabeth Pentecost Stewart. He graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1957. He was married to Katherine Webster in West Plains, Missouri in 1960. They had two sons, Clyde “Chuck” Stewart, III and Cary Don Stewart. They were married until her death in 2005. In 2007 he married Jane Brown in a ceremony at the First Baptist Church surrounded by friends and family.

His commitment to his community began early in his life. He was a member of the National Guard. He ran a dozer in 1958 on the original construction site of the West Plains Memorial Hospital now known as Ozarks Healthcare. In 1968, Junior along with his brother David and wife, Joyce, purchased a redi-mix company where they worked together for 22 years. He was also instrumental in the growth and development of other businesses including Stewart Brothers Construction, First National Bank of West Plains, Community First Banking Company, the Heritage Industrial Park in Pomona, Downtown West Plains and ongoing support of the Ozarks Healthcare Foundation. He was a founding member of the Industrial Development Board.

In 2011 he was honored with West Plains Chamber Lifetime Achievement Award for being an outstanding community supporter for over 50 years. Highlighting his work ethic, honesty and integrity which was respected areawide.

From 1997 he began serving as Chairman of the Board of Community First Banking Company. The next 26 years he led the company through tremendous growth including adding three branch banks. In August of 2023 he retired from this position.

Junior was known for always having a shiny clean truck pulling a matching Champion Boat and avidly fishing in his spare time, rain or shine. Bass fishing was a life-long passion of his and he enjoyed it up until his death.

Junior was of the Baptist faith and member of First Baptist Church of West Plains, Missouri. He contributed to many missions of his church including sharing the word of God with others. He enjoyed his church and his church family.

He is survived by his wife, Jane; son, Cary and wife, Melissa; sister, Bonnie Hille and husband, Rod; step-daughter, Sarah Payne; sister-in-law, Joyce; five grandchildren; and five nephews.

He was preceded in death by both of his parents; his brother David; wife, Katherine; son, Chuck.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ozarks Healthcare Foundation, P.O. Box 1100, West Plains, MO 65775 or may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains, Missouri.