Blackmer Funeral Home

Ralph “Sonny” Stewart, 75, of Grangeville, born

Sonny lived for a short time in Kansas, but due to the depression, his family was forced to move west, living in Vancouver, Washington. After the war, the work ceased in Vancouver and again they were forced to move, this time to Grangeville. Sonny attended Grangeville High School where he played baseball and graduated in 1952. He entered the US Army in 1953, and was discharged in 1959. He was stationed in Korea and later in Japan where he met and married his loving wife, Yoshino Komai on February 18, 1956. They were married for 50 years. While stationed in Tokyo, Japan, their son John (Johnny) was born April 15, 1957. They were later transferred to Chicago, Illinois where their daughter, Kathy, was born November 6, 1958. 

Baseball was his number one passion, and he proudly had the privilege of attending a Chicago Cubs game with his son in 1959. That was Sonny’s first professional game and then just last year, he attended a Seattle Mariners game. After being discharged, he returned to Grangeville to assist his father and brother in operating Grangeville Transit Mix. Years later, Gary and Sonny purchased the company from their father where he was a co-owner up until the time of his death.  

He and Gary would go to the junior high school after work and hit baseballs to their kids. This quickly grew to 20-30 kids nightly. Some of his hobbies besides baseball were trapshooting, bowling, hunting and fishing. He was a member of the Grangeville Gun Club where he served as President, Vice President and Treasurer. He was also instrumental in moving the Gun Club to its present location. He was an avid bowler for 40 years, entering numerous tournaments in Reno and Clarkston, and still bowling on a league.  

For many years, Sonny and Yo worked at the Riggins Rodeo and Elks. Sonny was the bartender and Yo was the cocktail waitress. 

Sonny will be remembered for his great compassion towards others and never being able to say no to those in need. He will be missed tremendously by all who knew and loved him.  

He is survived by his children, John Stewart and his wife Kathy of Meridian, Idaho; Kathy Henn and her husband Bill of Nampa, Idaho; grandchildren, Jason Stewart, Jennifer Engelbart and her husband Ryan, Kyla Grigg, Cody Desjarden, Chad Henn; great-granddaughter Jayna Engelbart, and a niece and nephews. 

Sonny is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Josephine Stewart; his wife, Yoshino; brother, Gary; three infant siblings and infant granddaughter, Shawna. 

A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 15, 2009, at 3:00 p.m., at the Grangeville Christian Church in Grangeville, with Pastor Harold Gott officiating. Refreshments will immediately follow the services at the church. 

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville.