Sidney Jack Stem

Sidney Jack Stem was born July 10, 1923, in Waco, to Det. Capt. Wiley W. Stem and Ada Rowe Stem.
He attended Waco schools and graduated in 1941. That fall he attended Baylor University on an scholarship for swimming. He joined the College Reserve Corps and was called to active duty in the US Army during WW 2. He was stationed on the islands of Saipan and Tinian in the South Pacific. He was awarded the Purple Heart, South Pacific Victory Medal, Marianas Islands Campaign Medal, Infantry Field Badge, and many others. He returned in 1945, and re-enrolled in Baylor, lettering in swimming. In 1947 he received his B.S. Ed degree and his Masters in Education in 1948.
At Baylor, he met Virginia Johnson and they married in 1947.
He accepted a teaching/coaching job in Ben Hur for one year until accepting the job of Dir. of Volunteer Services at the new VA Hospital in Marlin in 1951. He retired from the VA in 1989 after 38 years of service.
Jack declined numerous promotions within the VA to stay in Marlin the rest of his life. Marlin always held a special place in his heart. Jack and Virginia had Wiley Montgomery (Monty) in 1951 and Laura Lee in 1965.
Jack visited every state in the US, as well as many countries in Europe.
Jack was a member of the Marlin First Baptist for over 70 years, and served as Deacon, Jr. Boys Sunday School teacher, Chairman of the Deacons, Pulpit Committee member, among other positions. He spent many summers as a sponsor at Latham Springs church camp, as well as with Bible Memory Association and Scripture Memory Fellowship.
He was a member of the Lions Club and Masonic Lodge. He was Pres. of the Falls County Red Cross, Pres. of the Lion’s Club, Pres. of the Tomlinson Hill Veterans/Old Settler’s Assoc. He served on the Board of Directors of organizations such as the Marlin Main Street Project, Marlin Civic Center, Men’s Golf Association, Samaritan House, Waco-Marlin Credit Union, and Scripture Memory Fellowship.
He was awarded the William M. Parrish/Hazel Falconer Goddard Service Award as Outstanding Citizen from the Marlin Chamber Commerce. He was also a proud supporter of the Falls County Youth Fair. He taught Red Cross Swimming lessons to countless children and adults. He was a Boy Scout leader for 35 years, helping many young men attain the honor of Eagle Scout Award, including his son, Monty.
He received the Silver Beaver Award, the highest award given by the Boy Scouts. The highlight of his career as a Boy Scout leader was taking 25 scouts to the Natl Jamboree in Valley Forge. They attended the World’s Fair in NY City and a NY Yankees baseball game, where they saw Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris play.
Another year he took his troop for two weeks hiking and camping in the mountains of Camp Philmont, NM, where they encountered rain, snow, and bears. Every summer he took his Troop 557 to Camp Tahuaya, near Belton.
Two years after Virginia’s death in 1990, he married Jo Childs, and they recently celebrated their 25th anniversary. He always enjoyed saying, “Jo was the only lady he wanted to date and certainly the only one he wanted to marry.” He felt one of the best things about their marriage was how the two families blended so well. Jack and Jo continued to serve the Marlin community until he moved to the William R. Courtney State Veteran’s Home in Temple.
Jack was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, and golf. He had a lifelong love for the Baylor Bears. He enjoyed bridge, duplicate, and dominoes.
Jack is survived by his wife, Jo Childs Stem; daughter, Laura Lee Stem Pirtle and husband Glen; and Jo’s children, Sandy Tusa and husband, Frank, Mark Childs and wife, Dru, Brian Childs and wife, Ferrisa; grandchildren, Wendy Stem Gaspard, Matthew Stem, Jennilee Pirtle, Victoria Pirtle, Sydney Pirtle, Jacob Tusa, Jared Tusa, Amy Metcalf, Colton Childs, Chandler Childs, Brianna Childs; eight great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Jack is preceded in death by wife, Virginia Stem; and son, Monty, his parents, Det. Capt. Wiley W. Stem and Ada Rowe Stem; brothers, and sister.
Visitation was held Thursday, March 1, 2018, at Adams Funeral Home in Marlin, Texas.
Funeral services were held at noon on Friday, March 2, 2018, at First Baptist Church in Marlin, Texas.
Graveside service followed at Waco Memorial Cemetery in Waco.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to Scripture Memory Fellowship (PO Box 550232, Dallas, Texas 75355), First Baptist Church (309 Coleman, Marlin, Texas 76661), or South Texas Children’s Home Ministries (P.O. Box 759, Beeville, Texas 78104.)