Arden Wardle Stewart

May 10, 1925 - May 12, 2015 　 Arden Wardle Stewart our beloved patriarch passed away peacefully at home on May 12, 2015. He was born in Roosevelt, Utah in 1925 to John Henry Stewart and Elsie (Wardle) Stewart. He grew up in Sand Wash, Willow Creek, and Ouray Utah. He married the love of his life Donna Rae Chivers on November 22, 1949 in Vernal, Utah. Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake City temple in 1965. They were the proud parents of 3 boys. Bobby M. Slaugh (step-son), Christy N. Slaugh (step-son), and Rex A. Stewart. Arden and Donna were married for 58 wonderful years. Arden served 3 years in the United States Navy as a Naval Seabee, during WWII in the Asian Pacific Theater. He was honorably discharged and returned home to the place that he loved. He worked as a cowboy on several ranches in the book cliff area as well as rodeo-ing. He worked for the Ashton Brothers lumber yard and also drove truck for them hauling building materials and drilling mud additives. In 1970 Arden ran for Uintah County Sherriff and was elected. He severed four terms in this position. During his time as Sherriff he successfully undertook the modernization of the department as well as the construction of a new jail facility. When he went in as Sherriff there were seven employees including himself. When he went out of office there were 32 employees. Arden was a noted men's pistol marksman during his time with the Sheriff's department and the search and rescue, winning the UPOA and the two man slow fire event. After he left office he immediately accepted the challenge of consolidating all law enforcement departments under a centralized dispatch system. Arden was also very active in the American Legion serving as Utah State Commander for two years and District Commander for one year. He was given the national award as the American Legions Outstanding District Commander and was still in good standing with more than 62 years of service at the time of his death. Arden was also very active in scouting, taking the scouts on six high Uintah treks which included the summit of Kings Peak. These treks were a minimum of fifty miles each with some reaching eighty miles. Arden was very active in the LDS church serving many callings. One of which was serving as Bishop of Davis Ward. Arden and Donna served in many callings such as ordinance workers at the temple, care center, and a full time mission in Crawfordville, FL.. Arden was very diligent about doing his LDS indexing and completed more than 80,000 names. One of Arden's greatest passions was writing poetry. He was invited as a featured speaker at the Elko, NV. National Cowboy Poetry gathering in 1996. He wrote more than 100 poems... One of his greatest wishes came true when he was able to compile and publish his poems in a book which he dedicated to his loving wife Donna. Arden's family meant everything to him. He loved spending time with them camping, fishing, hunting, four wheeling, and anything else that allowed him time to spend with his beloved family. Arden is survived by one son Rex Stewart, Vernal UT., Daughter in law Beverly Slaugh Cody, WY., half-brother J Charles Brewer, (Kathy) Vernal, UT., Gale Brewer, (Sharon), Grand Junction, CO.. Eight grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and two in the chute! Five great great-grandchildren and one in the chute! Arden is preceded in death by his parents, wife, one half-sister, two-half brothers, two step sons and many nieces and nephews. What a legacy Arden and Donna left behind! He will be greatly missed by all the many lives he touched. Funeral services for Arden Stewart, age 90, of Vernal will be Monday, May 18, 2015 at 11:00 at the Ashley Creek Ward (4080 South 2500 East). Family and friends may call Sunday evening from 6:00-8:00 P.M. and at the Chapel one hour prior to the services Burial will be in the Dry Fork Cemetery with Military Honors provided by American Legion and Utah National Guard, escort by the Uintah County Sherriff's Department and the Uintah County Search and Rescue, services are under the direction of Blackburn Vernal Mortuary. www.blackburnvernalmortuary.com