Big John Robert Stewart, who resided in Lavaca, Arkansas, died Saturday, April 9, 2022, at his home. He was born on March 1, 1958, in Killeen, Texas, to the late J.B. Stewart and Eva Lee (Hodges) Stewart. He was 64 years old. He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Stewart.

John worked several years for Transcript in Fort Smith and retired from Baldor Electric Company in Fort Smith. John was ordained to the Gospel Ministry on November 11, 2012, and was the current pastor at Vesta Baptist Church, which he loved very much. He was an active member of the motorcycle club, HELLFIGHTERS Search & Rescue.  Big John was a 1976 graduate of Charleston High School and was known as being one of the best, if not the best, basketball player ever to graduate from Charleston High School. He wore #50 for the Charleston Tigers and had many accomplishments during his basketball career. To name a few, Big John was selected to the Arkansas Gazette's Super Team and to two All American Teams, Basketball Weekly and Family Weekly. He was listed in the top 100 high school basketball players in the nation. But John's biggest accomplishment was his family. He loved his wife, his children, and grandchildren very much. Big John was loved by many and will be missed by all who knew him.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 14th at First Baptist Church in Lavaca, with Pastor Steven Smithson officiating. Burial will follow at Measles Cemetery in Lavaca, under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home and Flower Shop in Charleston.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Jennifer (Graham) Stewart; his children, Jessica King and husband Terrell of Fort Smith and Josh Stewart and wife Courtney of Greenwood; three sisters, Peggy Lepori of Charleston, Josie Justin of Monroe, Michigan, and Kathy Day of Clarksville; five grandchildren, Dakota King, Baylee King, Kynlee Stewart, Katie King, and Keaton Stewart.

Pallbearers are Jon Noel, Jakob Noel, Ben Noel, Terrell King, Jimmy Medlyn, Kurtis Stewart, Nathan Staton, Hunter Staton and Jim Anderson.

Honorary pallbearers are church members of Vesta Baptist Church and the Charleston High School Class of 1976.

The family will visit with friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday night at the funeral home.

To place an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.