Graham Teal Stewart, 94, of Nebo, North Carolina passed away Sunday, May 28, 2023. Born in Midland, Michigan on January 2, 1929, he was the son of the late Leroy Carlyle Stewart and Ione Teal Stewart.
Graham graduated from Randolph-Macon Academy in 1946, where he was captain of the football team and served as section leader of the marching band. In 1950, Graham graduated from Case Institute of Technology, now known as Case Western Reserve. Later drafted by the Army, Graham did artificial limb research at Walter Reed Hospital. He had a 30-year career at Dow Chemical Company and retired as the Director of Packaging, Engineering, and Design for Dow USA. Under his leadership, the international biohazard symbol was developed.
Graham enjoyed golf, fly fishing, and sailing. He was an accomplished duplicate bridge player, achieving silver life master status. Music was also a big part of Graham’s life. He enjoyed a wide range of music including Big Band, the Great American Songbook, classical piano, and opera. According to Graham, the perfect day would be to go fishing early in the morning, play golf in the afternoon, enjoy a very dry gin martini before dinner, and conclude the evening playing bridge until the wee hours of the morning. Graham hoped to be remembered “as someone who was worth knowing and is remembered with a smile.”
Graham is survived by his wife, JoAnne McCaskill Stewart; daughter Elizabeth Stewart Taylor (Dr. George Peach); granddaughters, Dr. Margaret Taylor Danner (Dr. Derek); Kathryn Taylor Redwood (Michael); and two great grandchildren, Graham Michael Redwood and Emma Lee Danner.
In addition to his parents, Graham was preceded in death by his first wife, Janet R. Stewart and a sister, Eleanor Stewart Ryckman.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Graham’s honor to Randolph-Macon Academy, 200 Academy Drive, Front Royal, Virginia 22630 or Amorem Hospice, 902 Kirkwood Street, NW, Lenoir, North Carolina 28645.
No services are planned for Mr. Stewart at this time.
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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Graham was a stellar gentleman and will be greatly missed.
Betty and I are so sorry to hear bout Graham. We were blessed to know you two for several years through Eldon and Susie Clayman. There were many "doing battles" with you two at the bridge table and it was always nice to talk a little bit about good old Dow Chemical. Something I didn't know until I read this obituary was that Graham's mother's name was Ione. I had a sister named Ione. Both Ione and Verl are not what one would call common names. AND, Graham (and you) were someone who was worth knowing and is remembered with a smile, as stated in the obit. We wish you the best in the future. Verl & Betty
I am so happy to have been invited to celebrate the last two birthdays of Graham with.JoAnne and Billy Fisher. He was fun to be with and betting on sports events.
Graham was certainly worth knowing and is remembered with a smile, even though I knew him only briefly through his delightful wife, JoAnne. We celebrate all the wonderful and rich experiences of his long life, even as we offer compassion and comfort for JoAnne and Graham's family who will certainly miss him. What a great example of a life well-lived!