Judge Herman I. "Buddy" Stewart, Jr.

He was born in DeRidder on November 23, 1939.  He is survived by loving wife, Shirley H.  Stewart, daughter Karla H. Tucker, son Herman I. “Ike” Stewart III and one grandson, Ryan C. Stewart.  He is also survived by two sisters, Barbara S. Jones (Griff), of Rockwall, TX, and Lavelle S. Arnold (Warren), of Morrison, Co.  He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and their children, plus three special honorary grandchildren, Collin and Cade Kibler, and Lee Glass.

He is preceded in death by his father, Herman I. Stewart, Sr., his mother, Lucille Foster Stewart of DeRidder, La., and his beloved dog, Waldo.

Buddy was a lifelong resident of Beauregard Parish.  His family was pioneers of the area.  He was a graduate of DeRidder High School in 1957, where he was named an Outstanding Senior.  He attended Louisiana State University from 1957 to 1961, at which time he received his B.S. degree in business and graduated from LSU Law School with a juris doctor degree in 1964.

Because of his stellar performance in law school, Buddy was named to the Louisiana State Law Review, where he wrote a number of articles over the years.  His law career began as a Law Clerk of the 3rd Circuit Court in Lake Charles under Judge Fruge.  He entered practice in the firm of Kay, Kay & Stewart in 1965.  Under Mayor Frank Delia, he served DeRidder as city attorney/ city prosecutor from 1970 until 1974.  He was attorney for the Industrial Development Board of the City of DeRidder from 1972 until 1978 and was attorney for the Louisiana Real Estate Commission during 1973 and 1974.  Buddy was an active member of the Rotary Club, the Beauregard Cattlemen’s Association, and served on the Board of Directors at First National Bank in DeRidder since 1984.  He remained in his private practice until he was elected to the bench as Judge of the 36th Judicial District Court, Beauregard Parish, La., in 1996.  He served as Judge until 2009, at which time he retired and spent full time with his wife.  Buddy and Shirley loved to travel to New Mexico, Arkansas and the Gulf Coast of Mississippi and Alabama.  Fishing was one of his passions that he enjoyed until shortly before his passing.

Visitation will be held 4-8 pm, Tuesday, March 1st, at Grace Church in DeRidder, La, where Buddy and Shirley were members.  Funeral services under the direction of Myers-Colonial Funeral Home will be at the church Wednesday, March 2nd, at 10:00 am with Pastor George Lee Glass officiating.  Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery.Herman I. “Buddy” Stewart Jr., 71 of DeRidder, La., passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday morning, February 27, 2011 after a 14 month battle with cancer.