Stephen Michael Stewart, age 78, passed away peacefully at home with his daughter at his side on December 15, 2024. Born on August 24, 1946, in Manistique, Michigan, he was the son of Howard Ray Stewart II and Opal Alberta (Manville) Stewart.
Stephen grew up enjoying the outdoors with his siblings, spending summers fishing, hunting and running the shores of Indian Lake where his parent’s rented cabins during their teaching breaks from the old Shingleton Schoolhouse.
From a young age, Stephen developed a passion for reading and physics. He graduated from Mather High School in Munising in 1964 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics, with minors in Mathematics and Solid-State Physics, from Michigan Technological University in 1968.
In 1969, Stephen launched his revolutionary career at Texas Instruments, overseeing product marketing for custom DTL and TTL products. In the mid-1970s, he joined Intel in Santa Clara, California, as a Product Marketing Engineer for the Midwestern U.S. There, he played a pivotal role in introducing key memory products like DRAM, SRAM, and ROM technologies that laid the foundation for modern computers. He would continue the remainder of his career at other tech giants in Silicon Valley until retirement in the mid 90’s. He enjoyed the years in California, salmon fishing with brother Jim and Buddy Roger and attending hundreds of motorcycle runs spanning over three decades. The parties were filled with laughter, gourmet meals, and great conversations.
Later in life, Stephen decided to leave California behind to move closer to his daughter and grandchildren and finally settled in his home in the Upper Peninsula. He resided in Bay Mills Township on what he would call the “frozen shores of Gitche Gumee.” He was an avid motorcycle rider known for taking off traveling the US over 10 times accumulating 208,000 miles on one bike alone. The adventures he went on from Key West, Florida, to the Article Circle in Alaska, would become the “stories” his friends and family would cherish. He truly did it all from entering Earnest Hemmingway look alike contests, to peeing off a glacier that would carry his DNA into every ocean in the world! He lived life to the fullest every chance he had feeling the freedom of the road and letting the wind carry him to his next destination. He loved his family, his partner Carol McKay, her son Thad, grandchildren Hendrix, Harry, Raven and Roman brought joy and love to his life. He loved nothing more than to spend the day fishing with his grandsons, Andrew, Steve and Carlin and hearing of all the successes of his beloved granddaughter Mia and great-grandson Ezra. He was a gracious host who loved sharing meals and stories with anyone he welcomed into this home.
Stephen is survived by his partner, Carol McKay; daughter, Stephanie LeBlanc; grandchildren, Andrew LeBlanc III, Stephen LeBlanc and Mia Evenson; great-grandson, Ezra Donahue; sister, Melody (Craig Keiser) Stewart; brother, Ray (Jan) Stewart and lifelong friends Curt (Sally) Keiser.
Stephen was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Opal Stewart; and brother, James Stewart.
Stephen was well-loved for his storytelling, sharing hilarious and memorable anecdotes that brought joy to those around him. He leaves behind a legacy of innovation, adventure, and laughter that will never be forgotten.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Father’s Day, June 15, 2025, at Stephen’s home, 14314 West Lakeshore Drive, Brimley, Michigan 49715.
Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.
