Mr. Charles Frederick Stewart, Jr. , age 82, of Vidalia, Georgia, passed away Monday, June 13, 2016, at Serenity Hospice House in Dublin after a short illness.

Mr. Stewart was born in Millen, GA, but lived most of his life in Vidalia. A graduate of Vidalia High School, he participated in football, basketball, baseball and track. Upon graduation from the Citadel in 1956, he was designated a distinguished military student by General Mark W. Clark. After serving in the United States Army for three years, Mr. Stewart attended Michigan State University with concentrated studies in mass marketing management. He retired from Piggly Wiggly Southern after 30 years of service.

Mr. Stewart was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Vidalia, where he served several positions on the administrative board, sang with the Chancel Choir, and taught Men’s Bible Class. He was a member of the Jaycees and the Vidalia Rotary Club. He also served as chairman of Vidalia Housing Authority and was past County Representative of Meadows Memorial Hospital Board.

Mr. Stewart was preceded in death by his parents Ann Coleman Stewart and Charles Frederick Stewart, Sr. He is survived by his wife Retha Willis Stewart; his son Charles Frederick “Rick” Stewart, III (Cathy) of Villa Rica, GA; and daughters Leah Ann Sturtevant (Bobby) of Lawrenceville, GA, and Cristy Lynn Nickel (Mark) of Conway, SC. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Hope (Kyle) Wright, Whitney (Evan) Sand, Charles Stewart, Berkley Stewart, Samantha Stewart, Summerlin Nickel, Tanner Nickel, and Judd Nickel. Four great-grandchildren also survive: Levi and Dallas Wright and Colton and Harper Lynn Sand.

Known to his family and close friends as “Buff,” Fred was forever quick to regale his company with a tall tale, always leaving them with a smile on their lips and laughter in their hearts. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

A memorial service for Mr. Stewart will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, June 16, 2016, at the First United Methodist Church of Vidalia with the Reverend David Blalock, the Reverend Robert Greene and Mr. Jose’ Caraballo officiating.  The family will receive friends at Stewart-Rosier Funeral Home, Vidalia Chapel on Wednesday evening, from 5 to 7 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Building Fund at First United Methodist Church, PO Box 150, Vidalia, GA 30475, or to the Paul Anderson Youth Home, PO Box 525, Vidalia, GA, 30475.

Stewart-Rosier Funeral Service Vidalia Chapel is in charge of funeral arrangements.