Rodney Ray Stewart, Jr.

Rodney Ray Stewart, Jr., 100, of Gastonia, NC, passed away Sunday, April 21, 2024, at his residence.

He was born August 13, 1923, a native of Gaston Co, NC, son of the late Rodney Ray Stewart, Sr., and Esther Glover Stewart.

Ray was dedicated to God, Country and Family. He enjoyed sports and particularly baseball all his life. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and golfing as well with his friends and family. He was talented in the field of Mathematics which eventually led him into the occupation of mechanical engineering.  After leaving the military, he devoted himself to his church and raising his family. He was a member of East Baptist Church, Gastonia, NC, where he was a lifetime deacon. The impact he had to many lives he encountered is immeasurable but will be remembered by all he touched in various ways.

Ray was inducted into the American Legion of NC Baseball Hall of Fame post #23. Representative Donnie Loftis has presented Ray, North Carolina's highest award The Long Leaf Pine. During WWII he served with the famed 2nd Armored Division as a tank driver and bow gunner from Normandy to Berlin. He saw action in Normandy, Northern France, the Ardenne forests, Battle of the Bulge, Rhineland, and Central Europe. He earned 5 Champaign Ribbons, medal with 5 Bronze stars with an arrowhead, Good Conduct medal, Presidential Unit Badge with Oak Leaf Cluster, French and Belgium Fourragere, and Victory Medal. He was a member and part of the Honor guard of the local Last Man's Club. Later he was knighted at Fort Benning, GA and presented the Order St. George medallion by the US Cavalry and Armored Association.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Dottie Meek Stewart; brothers, Johnny, and Sloan Stewart; and sisters, Gwen, Evelyn, Rosemary, Sarah, and Janice.

Rodney is survived by his son, Mike Stewart (LeRhea); daughter, Karen Dellinger; grandchildren, Drew Dellinger (Kara), Leah Rae Dellinger Smith (Darren), Preston M. Stewart (Heather), and DeAnna S. Murphree (Eric); and great-grandchildren, Layton D. Smith, Lawson H. Smith, Keaton Rae Smith, Addy Ray Dellinger, Brynleigh Dellinger, Harper Rae Murphree, Beck W. Murphree, and Infant Stewart.

A funeral service officiated by Pastor Tim Parker, will be held 3pm, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at East Baptist Church - 114 N Church St, Gastonia, NC 28054.

Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

Burial will follow the service at Hollywood Cemetery, Gastonia.

Condolences may be made online at www.greenefuneral.com