James Norman Stewart

Your spirit will forever inspire and comfort us.

Obituary

James Norman Stewart passed away peacefully on October 26, 2025, at the age of 67.

Jim was born to Carl and Dora (Robinson) Stewart on September 22, 1958, in La Mesa,

California. He grew up in the family home on Golden Avenue in Lemon Grove, attending Mount

Vernon Elementary, Lemon Grove Junior High, and graduating from Mount Miguel High School

in 1977.

A proud member of the Sheet Metal Workers of Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada, Jim

began his apprenticeship in San Diego, where a highlight of his work was contributing to the

San Onofre Power Plant. His job later took him to Las Vegas, where he worked on numerous

high-rise hotels, casinos, and construction projects.

Jim’s life was defined by his passion for dogs, a love that began in early childhood as he brought

home strays that followed him on his paper route. As a young adult, he adopted Boz, his

beloved Golden Retriever who accompanied him everywhere from the mountains to the beach.

Throughout his life in Las Vegas, Jim opened his heart and home to rescue dogs, including three

Australian Shepherds: Bear, Chia (blind), and Concha (deaf), all of whom enjoyed daily trips to

the dog parks and hiking trails. His final dog, Bandit, was Jim’s ultimate protector and faithful

companion, accompanying him on daily walks even after Jim began using a wheelchair.

Jim enjoyed hiking the state and national parks throughout the Southwest and traveled to

Alaska to photograph bears and other wildlife. As a California native, the beach was one of his

favorite spots, particularly for jet-skiing in the bay and ocean. He was passionate about racing,

watching and photographing NASCAR, NHRA, and SCORE racing, and he was proud to have

helped build and maintain racecars for events like the Baja 500, Baja 1000, and races at Talladega and the

Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Jim was a dedicated fan of the Padres, Chargers (until their move),

Gulls, and Aztecs football.

Jim returned to California in 2016 to focus on his health and to be closer to family and friends.

Jim is survived by his brother Carl and his wife Edie Stewart, his sister Janet Reistetter, and his

sister Sue and her husband Mike Weaver. He is also survived by his beloved nephews and

nieces, Mike Weaver, Matt Reistetter, Christine White, Kathryn Heim, Steven Reistetter, and

Dave Shields, as well as eight grandnieces and grandnephews.

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Memory wall

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