Gary Dale Stewart, 66, died May 13, 2008 at home in Wasilla. There will be a celebration of his life at 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 20 at the Church on the Rock, Mile 45.5 Parks Highway in Wasilla, followed by a time of fellowship in the reception hall. Pastor David Pepper will officiate.

Stewart was born Jan. 15, 1942 in Sweetwater, Texas. He received his bachelor of business administration and majored in marketing at Angelo State University at San Angelo, Texas, and received his master’s of education at Colorado State University in 1974.

He worked as a buyer for Gibson Department Stores in San Angelo in the mid-1960s while attending Angelo State University. Following college he worked as a secondary teacher in Midland and Hempstead, Texas. While attending Colorado State University to earn a master’s of education he worked as a roustabout and taught at Ft. Morgan Community College before moving to Washington State in 1975 to work for Washington State University in Yakima as a Cooperative Extension agent, with emphasis on 4-H and youth development from 1975 to1984. From 1984 to1995, Stewart worked as a business and marketing secondary teacher in Washington, as well as coaching baseball, football and wrestling at the secondary level. From 1995 until his retirement in 2001 he worked for the University of Alaska Fairbanks as a 4-H and youth development specialist assigned to the Mat-Su/Copper River District.

He was the recipient of distinguished service awards from several educational organizations.

His family wrote: “No person was a stranger to Gary. He always had a story to share in a way that everyone was at ease. There was a light to his eyes that was unmistakable. You knew that he knew a special Savior, Jesus. Students and young people loved Gary because they knew that he loved them and would learn from him.

“He was more than a teacher, he was an educator to everyone he met,” his family added. “Gary loved to fish and looked forward to spring to start fishing again with his wife, family and friends from Alaska and the Lower 48.

“He also loved history and understood how history and economics are inter-related. His love and energy will be greatly missed, as will his Texas drawl and loving arms. However, we know that he is at home with his Lord and Savior. He was a devoted Christian and a great brother.”

Gary is survived by his wife, Sylvia Stewart of Wasilla; daughters Janna Wisniemieski and Susan Brown and her husband, Marshall, of San Angelo; son Matt Stewart of Modesto, Calif.; brothers Glyn Stewart and wife, Patsy, of Kerrville, Texas, Doug Stewart and wife, Margaret, of Thornton, Texas, and David Stewart and wife, Karen, of Apopka, Fla.; five granddaughters, two grandsons and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George M. Stewart and Alice E. Stewart-Taylor.

Valley Funeral Homes & Crematory of Wasilla and Palmer is assisting the family.