Mr.Louis Stewart

Louis "Alvin" Stewart, Sr. of Moulton, Texas, passed into eternal life on September 2, 2005 with his family at his bedside, Louis was born on February 28, 1928, in Flatonia to Albina Weidel Stewart and George Stewart.
Louis attended Floy School, near his family home and graduated from Flatonia High School where he played on the baseball and tennis teams and raised pigs for F.F.A. Louis entered the Army Air Force on March 14, 1946 and was trained in radar navigation and radio communication. He was certified as a Carbine Expert for his marksmanship. After being honorably discharged he went to work in San Antonio. Louis then enrolled in Texas A&M College where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and the Aggie baseball team. While attending Texas A&M College, Louis married Della Polly Laqua on June 2, 1951. To this union two children were born, Dr. Debra Gayle Stewart and Louis A. Stewart, Jr.

Louis received his Bachelor of Science Degree on May 29, 1953 and started to work at the Travis County Juvenile Court on June 1, 1953 as a Juvenile Probation Officer. In 1957 he accepted the position of Superintendent of the Travis County Juvenile Detention Center/Gardner House and later became Assistant Chief Juvenile Probation Officer. While working at the Juvenile Court, Louis received his Masters Degree from Sam Houston State University. He was employed at the Travis County Juvenile Court for over 34 years, having worked there from June 1, 1953 through August 31, 1987. During his career, Louis served as a board member, executive committee member and chairperson of many state and national professional organizations and was a member of "Who's Who" In America. He was instrumental in founding the Texas Juvenile Detention Association and served as president of this organization for three terms. He served for several years as both a board member and divisional chairperson of the Texas Correction Association. Louis was involved in setting standards for juveniles in both the American Correctional Association and Texas Juvenile Probation Commission. Over both the state and nation Louis was known as the "Dean of Detentions" and received many awards including the "Halls of Detention" award, which was the highest award given by the Texas Juvenile Detention Association.

After retiring Louis moved back to his "real" home, the family ranch near Old Moulton, where he enjoyed the peace and quiet of country living, the cattle and his pet chickens and roosters. He especially enjoyed spending this time with his "darling wife Polly". He remained active in the community until he began to have health problems. He was President of the Moulton Community Medical Clinic Board and former President and current Board of Director for the Bluebonnet Youth Ranch, and he was also a member of the American Legion.

Louis was raised a devout Catholic in a traditional Czech home and has been a wonderful inspiration to his family and friends. He was involved in his children's Catholic education, serving as President of the PTA for both Saint Ignatius Martyr and Holy Cross High Schools.

Louis was a man of many talents. He could build, fix and repair almost anything and he invented a number of items. Louis received his Ham Radio Operator license in the 1950's and loved to talk with his friends and people from all over the world. Louis also loved to fish, hunt, play the accordion, work crossword puzzles, be a judge at the Taylor International Barbecue Cookoff, dance and water ski. He was innovative, energetic, quick witted and had a passion for life and was even water skiing at the age of 71. Louis was an excellent domino player and enjoyed playing dominoes, flying, camping and taking family vacations. His family has been given the gift of many beautiful memories of sites seen and conversations had while on these many vacations and these memories will be cherished forever.

Louis was preceded in death by his parents.

Louis is survived and cherished by his devoted wife of 54 years, Della Polly Laqua Stewart of Moulton; his daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Debra Gayle Stewart, DDS and Dr. Donald Ray Tample, DDS of Houston; and son, Louis A. Stewart, Jr. of Moulton.

Serving as pallbearers are: Louis Barta, Ernest Bartek, Eugene Culak, Ronnie Culak, Francis Fisbeck, Eugene Laqua, Sonny Mitchell, Richard Lynn Nesrsta, Ernest "Chip" Smith and Joe Trojacek.

Louis' family cordially invites family and friends for visitation from 6:00 - 8:30 P.M. on Wednesday, September 7, 2005 at the Smith Funeral Home in Moulton with a Rosary Service being held at 7:00 P.M. A personal tribute/eulogy will start at 9:45 A.M. on Thursday, September 8, 2005 with the Funeral Mass to follow at 10:00 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Moulton with Reverend Gabriel Maison officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery in Flatonia under the direction of Smith Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Bluebonnet Youth Ranch in Yoakum, Texas or the Moulton Community Medical Clinic.

Louis Alvin, a man of few words, will be remembered as a quiet, caring, kind, loving, compassionate and highly intelligent husband, father and friend. Although he had many gifts and accomplishments, he let it be known that his greatest joy of all was his family. We will always remember his countless jokes, many of which were "Aggie" jokes, and stories along with his generous spirit and endless devotion to our lives. We will miss his love, laughter, smiling face, sense of humor, wisdom, guidance, humming, strength, support and friendship. We love him and know he is watching over us as we mourn his departure. We wait until we too are called home to see his reassuring face and be with him once again in heaven.