George Harvey Steward

George Harvey Steward, 95, of Lakeview, Oregon, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2023, at Lakeview Gardens.

George was born on March 10, 1927, to Harvey and Kathryn Steward in Holly, CO. The family moved west to Willow Ranch, CA in the 1930s during the Dust Bowl years. George was among the youngest of eight children, including Henry, Carl, Vera, Giles, Ray, Roy, and Lloyd. He had a fun and eventful upbringing in Willow Ranch with his siblings, driving the wagon to school and taking up boxing with his brothers. After a brief stint in the Army, George came back to Lakeview and married Joanne Bailey in 1951. George was a building contractor and owned his own construction company for most of his career.

George and Joanne had two daughters, Kathy (Al) Vargas, and Cindi Steward, and were the best grandparents around to three grandchildren—Christi (Kris) Banton, Jessica (Zach) Pelz, and McKenzie (Jessy) Larsen; seven great-grandchildren—Dillon Banton, Kiely (Brennan) Pilon, Mollie Banton, Bennett Pelz, Annie Larsen, Ava Larsen, and Nora Larsen; and three great-great-grandchildren—Adelyn Pilon, Bexley Pilon, and Corinna Banton. In addition, George had many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews that he enjoyed spending time with.

George was kind and helpful and enjoyed projects of all kinds. He loved being a grandpa and could often be seen around town wearing a cap with the names of all his grandkids on it. He was very social and a good friend and rarely missed the regular 10 am and 2 pm coffee time with the guys at the corner café, even in later years when it was often just him and Morgan Verling. George enjoyed family get-togethers, camping, riding Honda trail bikes, photography, and travel. He was an early adopter of technology and especially enjoyed scanning old family photographs and making funny joke pictures for people.

George was preceded in death by his wife Joanne, daughter Kathy, and all his siblings. George will be greatly missed by friends and family.

A memorial service will be held later in April at Goose Lake Park (weather permitting).  

Memorial contributions can be made in George's memory to the Lake County Senior Association at 11 North G Street, Lakeview, OR 97630, or to the charity of the donor's choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of George Harvey Steward, please visit our floral store.