Duncan James Stewart

Duncan James Stewart

December 4, 1931 – July 6, 2026

Duncan James Stewart, 94, of Corvallis, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 6, 2026, after a long, vibrant, and incredibly adventurous life.

Duncan was born on December 4, 1931, in Butte, Montana, to Archibald (Arch) and Irene (Hathaway) Stewart. He spent his early childhood in Wisdom, Montana, before his familyrelocated to the Bitterroot Valley in 1940. Duncan attended Corvallis High School through his junior year and graduated from Hamilton High School in 1949.

Following a brief stint working on the Butte Anaconda Pacific (BAP) Railroad, Duncan answered the call to serve his country by joining the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. After receiving an honorable discharge in 1954, he returned to the BAP Railroad. In 1955, he married Elizabeth Ann Ehman in Anaconda, and the couple moved to Bozeman, where Duncan earned his degree from Montana State University in 1960.

Duncan then launched a distinguished career with the U.S. Treasury Department. His work took him to various locations, though he spent the majority of his career in Butte and Helena. He retired from the Treasury Department in 1980 while living in Las Vegas, Nevada—but retirement was simply the beginning of a new chapter. Ever the explorer, Duncan embarked on a series of career adventures that took him to Boise, Idaho; North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He entered full retirement in 1997, living in Wimberley, Texas, before ultimately returning to his roots in Corvallis in 2008.

Duncan was famously known for his boundless energy, rightfully earning the nickname “The Energizer Bunny.” He was happiest outdoors, whether he was meticulously working in his yard and garden, playing a round of golf, casting a fishing line, or windsurfing across the water. Blessed with an encyclopedic memory of the residents of the Bitterroot Valley, Duncan was a master storyteller who loved nothing more than sharing tales of "the good old days" with family and neighbors, usually supplying them with fresh bounty from his garden.

Duncan and Elizabeth were married until 1976 at which time they divorced. He then married Barbara June Thomas in 1980, sharing his life with her until her passing in 2008. In 2018, he passionately reunited with a lifelong friend, Nancy Clark until her passing in 2024 showing us all that there is no age limit to fall in love again.

Duncan’s remarkable spirit lives on through his family. He is survived by his 3 children; Cathy (Ted) Townsend of Corvallis, MT; Pam (Mark) Christensen of Henderson, NV; and Bob (Terri Russell) Stewart of Helena, MT; and his “honorary” daughter: Anne (Keith) Edge of Dayton, MT. His 2 grandsons; Brian (Kendal Howard) Townsend of North Bend, WA, and Ryan Stewart of Helena, MT, and 3 cherished great-grandchildren Jackson, Bellamy, and Noah.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arch and Irene, and his 2 brothers, Robert (Bob) Stewart (1928–1998) and Harry (Tex) Stewart (1930–2000). 

Volumes of novels could be filled with the stories, adventures, and lessons of Duncan’s 94 years. He lived life to the absolute fullest. As Dunc would routinely sing each evening before finally retiring to bed:

“Turn out the lights, the party’s over.”

A service honoring Duncan’s life will be held at a later date.