James H. Stewart (aka “Jim” or “COACH”), a devoted husband, father, poppaw, and friend, went to be his Lord after a long kidney illness on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at the age of 82. Born on May 29, 1943, in Jesse, Wyoming County, West Virginia, Jim lived a full life of love, passion, dedication, and greatly impacted the lives of not only his close family, but his former basketball players and students as well.
Jim was a 1961 graduate of Oceana High School in Wyoming County where he was named 1st Team All State in Basketball as well as 1st Team All-Tournament Team at the West Virginia High School State Boys Basketball Tournament. Jim went on to play college basketball at Concord College where he was named Team Captain as a Senior and graduated in 1966.
An Education Major, Jim landed at Barboursville High School in 1969 where he taught Math. Jim was an Assistant Coach on the 1975 Barboursville Boys Basketball AAA State Championship Team. Jim also served as the Head Golf Coach at Barboursville where his teams were State contenders.
Jim went on to become the Head Basketball Coach at Milton High School in 1978, where he remained until 1994. These were some of his favorite years as a Coach, and many of his players and their families became life-long friends. In 1994, Jim was named the Head Basketball Coach at the newly consolidated Cabell Midland High School, where he remained until he retired in 2003. At Cabell Midland, Jim’s teams flourished and made the State Tournament in 1997, 2001, and 2002. One of Jim’s proudest moments as a coach was winning the 2002 AAA State Championship. It remains to this day the ONLY Boys Basketball State Championship Team in school history. Jim was the ultimate competitor whose teams played with discipline and toughness.
Outside of coaching and teaching, Jim was the definition of a family man who enjoyed anything outdoors. First, Jim loved hunting, which was something he carried over from his childhood. He loved hunting with his sons, family and friends, whether it was squirrel season, deer season, pheasant, or his favorite, spring turkey season. Jim also loved golfing, which became a center of his family time. He liked nothing more than to play golf with his wife of almost 50 years. Jim was first a member of Esquire Golf Course, where he won the Men’s Club Championship in 1991. In 1994, he became a member of Sleepy Hollow Golf Club in Hurricane, WV where his wife and son’s family remain members to this day. Some of his best times were had at Sleepy Hollow, including making two (2) hole in ones.
Finally, Jim was an avid and meticulous gardener. He did not like folks helping in his garden, because it was his “baby.” For 40 plus years everyone would say he kept the best garden in the area, where he grew tomatoes, green beans, corn, cucumbers, peppers, strawberries, cabbage, broccoli, potatoes, and anything else his family wanted him to plant. Jim enjoyed sharing his garden the most with his grandchildren and taking them in it to show them how the plants were growing.
Jim is survived by his beloved wife of almost 50 years, Elizabeth “Sue” Stewart, and his sons, James “Todd” Stewart of Lexington, Kentucky and John “Ryan” Stewart (Melissa) of Scott Depot, West Virginia. Jim is also survived by his five (5) most precious treasures, his grandchildren, Nathan Stewart, Erica Stewart, Emmaline Stewart, Benton Stewart, and Evelyn Stewart. Jim is also survived by his sister, Drema Caudill (Jeff) of Matheny, West Virginia.
Jim is preceded in death by his father, John “Benton” Stewart; mother, Virginia Scott Stewart, and his younger brother, Ronald Stewart.
Jim will be remembered not only for his accomplishments, but his unwavering dedication, loyalty, and love to not only his family, but also his friends, players, former players, and their families and loved ones. Jim never met a stranger and when he would see someone out that he knew, he would always drop anything he was doing to talk with them and ask how they were doing. He was a true gentleman who cared for all.
As we reflect on Jim “Coach” Stewart’s life, we celebrate the love he gave and received, the lessons he taught, and the great legacy he leaves behind. His spirit will live in the hearts of all who were fortunate to know him.
The viewing/wake will be held at Wallace Funeral Home in Barboursville, West Virginia on Sunday, August 24, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 25, 2025, at Wallace Funeral Home with graveside burial to immediately follow at White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Barboursville. You may share your thoughts and memories at: www.timeformemory.com/wallace.
Rather than sending flowers to the family, in memory of Jim “Coach” Stewart, please consider sending a donation to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) or to your local youth sports team or organization for the youth to continue to flourish.
