Taylor Steven Stuart

Taylor Steven Stuart (Steve) was a farm hand, army veteran, telegrapher, electronics technician, community gardener, communications engineer and a strong family man. Friends and co-workers described him as thoughtful, decent, dedicated, honest, admired and respected. All who met him were blessed with his good humor, intellect and wisdom. He will be greatly missed.

Steve was born on July 25, 1929 in Divide County, in northwestern ND to TS and Lyda Stuart. Steve grew up on a farm during the great depression with two older brothers (James Thadeus and Grenville Seely), a younger sister (Cynthia) and a younger brother (Robert Byron). As a teenager, he worked on the family farm during WW2. When he was 18, he completed High School in Crosby, ND, graduated from telegraph school in Minneapolis, MN and moved to Las Vegas, NM where he began a 39-year career with the Santa Fe RR. He also partnered a small chicken farm there until he was drafted in 1951 to serve two years in the US army. He was stationed in Japan.

In 1953, he returned to work as a telegrapher for the Santa Fe in Las Vegas NM where he met Doris Adele Stewart. He and Adele were married April 5, 1954. In addition to his work with the railroad, Steve opened and operated a private television repair business until late 1960, when the railroad moved him to Amarillo, TX to work as a wire chief. Four years later, the Santa Fe moved him again to work as a radio technician in Wellington, KS. Two years later, the Santa Fe moved him to Topeka, KS and gave him responsibilities for installing and maintaining microwave communication systems for a territory that extended from western Missouri through eastern Colorado. As a side project, he purchased 10 acres outside of Topeka where he cultivated walnut and pecan trees.

Steve retired from the Santa Fe in 1987 as a communications engineer in Kansas City, KS. During retirement, Steve enjoyed golfing and billiards with his friends, he produced a large vegetable garden every year and donated his time and energy to church and other charitable organizations. He was an avid reader in both English and Spanish and a student of history. He traveled to Africa and Mexico and enjoyed Royals spring training in Arizona. Steve was always ready to help his kids and grandkids with projects, moves, construction and babysitting.

            His parents and two brothers (James and Robert) preceded Steve in death. Surviving are his wife Adele, Shawnee; his son Jeff Stuart (Cynthia), Ajijic Mexico; daughters Diane (John) Gaunt, Overland Park KS; Elizabeth (Lee) Kraus, Scranton KS; and Stephanie Barnhill, Shawnee. Also surviving are nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

            A memorial celebration of Steve’s life will be held at the Shawnee Presbyterian Church (6837 Nieman Rd, Shawnee KS) at 10:00 am on Saturday April 30, 2022. All contributions made in memory of Steve may be given to the Shawnee Presbyterian Church and will be forwarded to Shawnee Community Services.

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