C. Emerson Stewart

C. Emerson Stewart, Jr. passed from this earth on July 4, 2025 at the age of 89. Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 11, 2025 at Headley Funeral Chapel, Augusta. Graveside services will follow at 2:30 p.m. Friday, July 11, 2025 at Elmwood Cemetery, Augusta. Those attending should use the 12th Street entrance. The family will hold a Celebration of Life Service 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 12, 2025 at East Point Church of Christ, 747 N.127th East, Wichita, KS 67206. A potluck dinner will follow the service at the Augusta Church of Christ, 3500 Ohio St., Augusta, KS 67010, for all family and friends wishing to attend.

Emerson was born Monday, September 16, 1935 to Cyril Emerson, Sr. and Leota (Kinney) Stewart at their farm located on the banks of the Muddy Creek between Augusta and Douglass, KS. The farm was homesteaded by Emerson's Great Grandfather following four years of military service at Fort Scott, Kansas during the Civil War. His parents owned and operated the farm where they raised Emerson, along with his three sisters, Barbara, Mary Florence (Flossie), and Mattie, and one brother Paul, all of whom have preceded him in death. He loved growing up on the farm, swimming in the creek and riding his horse Goldie who he bought when he was 12 and had for 32 years.

Emerson attended elementary and junior high school in Douglass and high school in Augusta where he graduated in 1953. He went on to attend EI Dorado Junior College (Butler County) for two years before transferring to Pittsburgh State University where he completed a bachelor's degree in industrial education in 1957. He then continued his education at Emporia State University where he received a master's degree in counseling and guidance.

Emerson began his career teaching in the Augusta, Oatville, Seltzer and Wichita public schools, and prior to his position as counselor and advisor for the Wichita Area Vocational Technical School for 16 years. In 1980, he and his family moved to Madill, OK where he worked as an enrollment counselor at Murray State College in Tishomingo, OK. In 1986 he and Barbara moved to Garden City, KS where he worked at Garden City Community College as the Assistant Dean of Instruction until his retirement in 1998. That same year, he relocated back to Augusta where he continued to work part time as adjunct faculty for Butler County Community College conducting instructor evaluations and substituting in the Augusta Public Schools.

Emerson was a very dedicated husband and father. He was married to Barbara Ann Skaer in 1957, who also grew up on a farm southeast of Augusta. During their 39 years of marriage, they raised three sons, Scott (wife Judy) of Anderson, SC; Ladd (wife Donna) of Augusta; and Shane (wife Cathy) of Cypress, TX. Following Barbara's passing in 1996, Emerson married Joyce Ann Bredfeldt who was born and raised in Dodge City. They remained married 26 years until Joyce's passing in 2022. Joyce has one daughter Jayme (husband Neal Whitlow), of Augusta. Together, with Barbara and Joyce, he leaves behind 10 grandchildren: Joshua, Caleb, Aaron, Daniel, Emily, Kate, Collin, Addy, Ellison and Grayson.

Emerson was a faithful Christian and wherever he lived, he and his family were actively involved in their church and community. He served as a Deacon or Elder at various congregations. He taught bible classes, led singing, and occasionally delivered sermons whenever called upon to do so. He also loved to travel as part of serving and took numerous missionary trips to Africa and Mexico, in addition to numerous locations in the United States. He loved the Lord and wanted everyone he knew to have the same peace and confidence that comes by being a devoted follower of Jesus Christ.

The family wishes that memorial contributions be made to East Point Church of Christ 747 N.127th East, Wichita, KS 67206, Augusta Church of Christ 3500 Ohio St., Augusta, KS 67010, or the Garden City Church of Christ, 1715 Pioneer Rd, Garden City, KS 67846.