Obituaries

Luther Stem Jr.

Photo of Luther Stem Jr.
Luther Stem Jr., 81, passed away Dec. 21, 2012. He was born June 7, 1931, in Lavaca, Ark. to Luther and Ethel Stem Sr. He was the owner operator of Luther Stem Pools and Spas. Luther was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, and a member of the Elks Lodge where he was the Grand Exalted Ruler in 1976, 1977. He was a longtime contributor to the Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club, and was a past board member of the Girls Shelter of Fort Smith. Luther was a 32 degree mason and was a past recipient of the Mayor's Spirit of the Frontier Award. Luther was a devoted family man who loved his children and grandchildren. He was a very respected business man that believed if a job was worth doing, it was worth doing right. The quality in his work meant everything to him. Due to his beliefs and work ethic, Luther Stem Pools and Spas have won multiple awards in their field of business. Funeral Service will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012, in Edwards Funeral Home Chapel, with burial in Forest Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012, from 5 p.m.–7 p.m. at Edwards Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be: Henry Engrav, Jim Allen, James Jones, Terry Eatmon, and grandsons Nathan Stem and Nick Nelms. Honorary pallbearers will be employees of Luther Stem Pools and Spas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jo whom he loved and was devoted to for 56 years. He was also preceded in death by his three sisters, Juanita Saylor, Oleta Larkin, and Thena Harwood. He is survived by one daughter, Debra Stem Jones of Fort Smith; two sons, Luther Stem III and his wife Karen of Fort Smith, and Wendell W. Stem of Fort Smith; three sisters, Mattie Sprouse of Fort Smith, Fannie Kelly of Tulsa, Okla., and Lydia McKinley of Fort Smith; six grandchildren, Melinda Wilson, Nathan Stem, Angela Stem, Morgan Stem, Madison Stem, and Nick Nelms; four great-grandchildren, Olivia Wilson, Mason McLaney, Cameron Stem, and Caden Nelms. Memorials may be sent to Girls Shelter of Fort Smith, 2600 Raleigh, Fort Smith, Ark. 72901. Online condolences may be sent to www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.

Published December 24, 2012

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