Richard “Dick” William Stewart, 91, Kokomo, passed away on Thursday, August 3, 2023. He was born on September 12, 1931, in Prairie Township, IN., to the late Oscar and Opal (Stoops) Stewart. On May 22, 1960, at the West St. Christian Church in Tipton, he married Darlene Pheanis, and she survives.
Richard was born in Prairie Township at his grandfather’s home. He grew up on a Tipton County farm attending Hobbs Elementary and Tipton High School, where he played Varsity basketball for the Blue Devils. Graduating in the Class of ‘49 Richard then attended Ball State University where he enrolled to study teaching & coaching. His education was interrupted by a 4-year stint in the U.S. Navy whereas an Electronics Technician he specialized in submarine detection technology. After his enlistment Richard returned to school, this time at Indiana University, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in Radio & Television having decided his calling was to be a play-by-play sportscaster.
Richard, who was known by many as “Dick”, wore many media hats starting as a cameraman at WTTV 4 to station manager at WLFI Channel 18 in Lafayette, where he also appeared as Captain Dick on the Popeye show. He also worked as a licensed auctioneer, insurance & advertising salesman, and he was the manager of Howard County’s first cable TV franchise Telecable before settling in as a realtor owning & brokering Century 21 Creative Reality in Kokomo. But Richard’s true love was behind the mic as a play-by-play sportscaster, and he lived his dream for over 40 years starting at WBMP in Elwood, followed by WIOU and WWKI in Kokomo, before finishing up his career at WSHW Shine 99 in Frankfort, where his final broadcast was a Sheridan Football State Championship!
After college Richard also continued to serve his country reenlisting in the U.S. Navy Reserve, serving a total of 30 years as a Public Affairs Officer retiring with the rank of Commander. He was also very active in the community as a member of the Kokomo Lions Club, Kokomo’s Civic Theater, serving as the President of the Board of Realtors, and as a choir member at both South Side Christian & Shiloh United Methodist churches. For fun Richard loved to go fishing, and he enjoyed running the PA at Taylor’s athletic events, which he did for over 25 years.
Richard is survived by his wife of 63 years Darlene (Pheanis) Stewart; their two children, Brian Stewart & Lynne (Stewart) Arnold; and three grandchildren, Cameron Stewart, Megan Arnold, and Addison Stewart.
He was preceded in death by twin daughters, Jennifer & Julie Stewart; his parents, Oscar and Opal Stewart; his brother, Leon Stewart; and his sister, Gwendolyn (Stewart) Fullen.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at Shirley and Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W Lincoln Rd, Kokomo. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, with military honors provided by the United States Navy and the Tipton American Legion Post 46. Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Friday, August 18, 2023, at the funeral home. Written with love by his son, Brian Stewart. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
