Kenneth Stewart

Funeral Services for Kenneth Stewart, 92, of Gilmer, Texas, will be held at 3:00 pm, Sunday, May 25, 2025, at First Methodist Church with Rev. Matthew Smith and Rev. Stewart Kouba officiating. Visitation will be held at 2:00 pm prior to the service. Private interment will be held at Sunset Memorial Park. Arrangements are under the direction of McWhorter Funeral Home. Kenneth was born on May 5, 1933, in Soules Chapel, Texas, to Jimmy and Hattie Stewart and passed from this life on May 21, 2025. Kenneth grew up in the Soules Chapel Community. He graduated from Harmony High School, Kilgore College, and Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. He married Cosette Hagler on August 15, 1952. Kenneth worked for Gilmer Cotton Oil & Fertilizer Company for 11 years. He joined Farmers and Merchants National Bank, now Gilmer National Bank, on February 17, 1964, and worked in many capacities before becoming president in 1988. Kenneth retired from the bank in 1996 as president and CEO and continued to serve on the board of directors at his death. Active in civic and community affairs, he served ten years as a Gilmer city councilman, was Cubmaster of Pack 314, member of Gilmer Kiwanis Club, and a director of Upshur County Chamber of Commerce. He was elected Business and Professional Man of the Year by Upshur-Gregg Soil Conservation District in 1975. Later in 2023, he was named Area 4 Forestry Conservationist of the year. A highlight for Kenneth and Cosette was being selected as Grand Parade Marshals for the 2015 Yamboree. As an active member of the First Methodist Church, he served in several capacities, including chairman of the administrative board, finance chairman, church treasurer and Sunday school president. Kenneth loved visiting his tree farm, traveling, and spending time with his family and friends. Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Deborah Loyd; daughter and son-in-law, Elaine and Wes Kouba; son, Ken Stewart; daughter-in-love, Oil Stewart; granddaughter, Alanna Hodges and husband, Justin Hodges; granddaughter, Kimberly Rossbach and husband, Philipp Rossbach; grandson, Aaron Loyd and wife, Leslie Loyd; granddaughter, Karen Davis and husband, Matt Davis; grandson, Stewart Kouba and wife, Jessica; granddaughters, Jessica Stewart and Christen Stewart; and great grandchildren, Madeline and Landon Hodges, Caroline Davis, Gracen and Asher Loyd, Kennedy and Jonah Rossbach, and Aurora, Elliot, Atlas, and Jude Kouba. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Cosette Stewart; son-in-law, Alan Loyd; sister, Ruth McPeek; and his brother, J.C. Stewart. Pallbearers are Ken Stewart, Aaron Loyd, Philipp Rossbach, Justin Hodges, Matt Davis, and Landon Hodges. Memorial donations may be made to First Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1132, Gilmer, Texas 75644. Please visit Kenneth's online registration book at www.mcwhorterfh.com to leave a memory for the family.

Kenneth Stewart

May 5, 1933 - May 21, 2025