About three and a half weeks before his death, he was diagnosed with having an aggressive cancer in his esophagus which had metastasized to his liver. We knew that the cancer was inoperable and incurable, but we thought and hoped that we would have more time with him. At first, we thought we would have months. But as the days went by, it became more apparent that he would leave us soon. Three and a half weeks felt so short, but it was definitely a grace from the Lord. My father had survived two debilitating motorcycle accidents in the past (2004 and 2005), and he could have been taken from us with no notice at all. All praise to God, the three and a half weeks allowed time for reconciliation and healing amongst my father and members of my family, myself included.
My brother and sister and I worked with my aunt (my dad's sister) and stepmother to arrange the funeral, which took place on December 13. Because of the time of the year and my dad's love of Christmas, we chose Christmas music and red, white, and green flowers. Instead of a traditional sermon, the pastor (at his suggestion and our enthusiastic support) read memories of my dad written by family and friends. It was a very personal service and probably the best that we could have wanted. We buried my father less than half a mile from what had been our family farm in Noonday, outside of Tyler. I have included his obituary below.
Nathan
Stewart Asbury Stimson
Christ's servant, Stewart Asbury Stimson, D.D.S., age 59, passed away peacefully on Dec. 10, 2008. Services will be held on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, at 10 a.m. in the chapel of Stewart Family Funeral Home with Rev. Doug Anderson officiating. Burial will follow at the Noonday Cemetery under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home.Stewart Stimson was born Jan. 29, 1949, in Philadelphia, Pa., to William Forster Stimson and Virginia Ann Stewart Stimson.
He was a drum major at Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas where he graduated with honors in 1967. He was an Eagle Scout, the highest rank that can be earned in the Boy Scouts of America. After high school, he graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Dentistry and in 1975 he graduated from the University of Texas at Houston with a Doctorate of Dental Surgery. While in Houston, he used his skill and compassion to serve low-income families and their children at the Fourth Ward Clinic.
"Dr. Stew" and his family moved to East Texas in 1981 where he opened his own dental practice located in Whitehouse. Active in his profession, he was a member of the American Dental Association and was a past President of the Smith County Dental Association. Serving his patients for nearly 25 years with care and faith, he retired from dentistry in 2005.
A dedicated and loving father, he helped raise three wonderful children on the family farm in Noonday. Stephen, Tish and Nathan learned many lessons of love and life from their father and he always supported and encouraged them as they reached for their goals. He was very proud of their accomplishments: one a doctor, one a registered nurse and one a law student. But most importantly, he knew that each of his children shared their parents' love for the Lord.
Dr. Stimson was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Nina Stimson; son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Jamie Stimson of Albuquerque, N.M.; daughter and son-in-law, Tish and Joey Hudson of Marshall; son and daughter-in-law, Nathan and Stephany Stimson of Dallas; six grandchildren, Sophie, Will, James, Owen, Hart and Macy; sister and brother-in-law, Anne and Andrew Lucas of Dallas; and his stepfather, Joe Hooper of Spring Hill, Fla.
Pallbearers will be Stephen Stimson, Nathan Stimson, Joey Hudson, Andrew Lucas, Bob Caine and Brian Wallace. Honorary pallbearers will be John Rhoades and Jed Becker.
