Stewart James Obituary
Born on December 6, 1944, in Pasadena, California, to Stewart Stephen James and Margaret Ellen James, Stewart grew up with a strong sense of family, faith, and the community around him. He attended John Muir High School before going on to get his undergraduate degree at the University of California, Berkeley. He continued his education from there, earning advanced degrees from both Cal and Cal State Hayward (now known as Cal State East Bay).
Stewart was baptized at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Pasadena, California where he went on to attend both Sunday chool and church. A deeply principled man with a strong sense of integrity, Stewart's faith helped shape his life and guide his actions. A lifelong student in anything he pursued, he studied the Bible regularly and read it cover to cover many times.
On March 25, 1972, he married the love of his life, Therese (Terri) Turner Attwood and became a stepfather to her sons Guy Attwood Jr., Greg Attwood, and Chris Attwood. In February the following year, Stewart and Terri welcomed daughter Elizabeth.
An avid and disciplined runner, he ran for distance several times a week including into his early 70s. He was well known for his Sunday "double-digit" run after church - you could set a watch by it. In 1998, having joined his daughter on a 20-mile final "training run" for her first marathon, she asked him if he would consider running the entire race with her. His words, "Funny you should mention that...great minds..." - and with two weeks' notice, ran his first marathon at the age of 54.
Professionally, Stewart began his career in the nonprofit sector before transitioning to Bank of America, where he held a wide range of executive roles during his 35+ year career. Even after retiring in 2015, he maintained his Certified Public Accounting (CPA) license until 2023. Never one to stop learning, he had recently taken up studying Physics. He volunteered countless hours of service to charity, church, and community.
Stewart's many interests and accomplishments were always secondary to what truly mattered most to him: his family. He was the rock of his family - a strong calming presence whose love and quiet, steadfast patriarchy are missed tremendously but still deeply felt. He loved to laugh and share in the joy of everyone around him. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Therese James; his daughter Elizabeth James (Greg Stegman); his stepson Chris Attwood; step-grandchildren; niece and nephews; and a large, close-knit circle of cousins who were more like his siblings.
A celebration of Stewart's life will be held on Sunday, August 3rd at 2:00 PM at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, located at 38451 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, California, 94536. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Stewart's name to one of the causes he deeply cared for:
- The American Cancer Society
- St. Jude's
- Tri-City Animal Shelter in Fremont, California
Stewart will be remembered for his integrity, wisdom, and unwavering love for his family. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, strength, faith, purpose, and love.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
Phyllis Bunker
August 7, 2025
I have so many wonderful memories of my nephew "Butch". He was given this nickname by a family member and it stuck through the years. From the time he was born he and my sister Margaret lived with my parents and me, so he has always been like a little brother to me. He even followed in my footsteps and attended the same Jr. High in Altadena and same High School in Pasadena. We´ve been able to spend time together over the years at family gatherings and reunions, so many memories from those. In recent years we connected via phone calls. I appreciated so much his regular phone calls.
I admire him so much for many reasons, but especially his strong faith and kindness. Always loved and remembered.
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Karen Bennett
August 6, 2025
Mama T and Elizabeth, my heart and prayers are with you as you process this grief and tremendous loss. Stewart was one of the best and all the living wonderful memories will live on. May it bring you some peace that he is in the loving arms of Jesus smiling down on you. Sending love and continued prayers.
Gordon Eiland
August 6, 2025
I will always remember Stewart as "Butch," my beloved big brother cousin, who got me started collecting baseball cards back in the late 50's/early 60s. Unfortunately all his Mickey Mantle rookie cards, which he generously gave to me when he stopped collecting, were inadvertently thrown out in what will forever be remembered as a great family tragedy (at least from my view).
Whenever the family gathered for holidays, almost always at "Nana and Granddaddy's house," all us cousins would eat together at a table in the kitchen while all the adults ate in the formal dining room. Needless to say many laughs were shared at that table over the years, including during many games of scrabble, at which Butch held a considerable advantage due to his superior vocabulary. Some of the words he spelled out were of questionable taste, but that only led to many more great laughs.
Butch lived his faith, and was always kind and genuinely interested in others, and generous to all. He loved God, loved his neighbors, and anyone who came in contact with him. I miss him dearly.
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results
Make a Donation
in Stewart James's name
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
How to support Stewart's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Stewart James's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
