Carl Emerson Steward

Carl Emerson Steward, 82, of Bald Knob, died Tuesday, February 10, 2015 in Searcy. He was March 2, 1932 in Bald Knob a son of the late Murrell and Lillian (Richards) Steward. Carl is considered the Dean of Track and Field officiating in the state of Arkansas for high school and college. Retired high school and college athlete, coach, principal and superintendent, he was the first athlete to run the 880 under two minutes at UCA in 1952 with a time of 1.57.7. He served AAA as a starter from 1957-1980 and 1980 to 2009 as referee. Served AIC as starter and referee from 1985-1995. Served as chief referee for World Police and Fire Games-1992. Has served as starter or referee for colleges, and universities in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Alabama, Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Certification officer for Track and Field Official USA for Arkansas. 58 years of officiating experience. Other honors include the following: Forty Arkansas High School state meets and forty Arkansas Meet of Champions as referee; 30 years of experience officiating SEC, Southwest, and Sunbelt Conference meets; nine NCAA Div. I Championship meets; One Police & Fire World Games; Induction into the Arkansas Track & Field Hall of Fame; service to the sport as USATF Certification Chair and ATFHF President. But more than just these numbers, Carl spent decades encouraging and training track and field officials in the Arkansas Association, as well as other areas. For over 50 years he set a model of excellence and professionalism in both his knowledge and application of the rules and in his ability to deal with officials, coaches, and athletes. He set the groundwork that prepared officials in the Arkansas Association to host NCAA Div. I National Championship meets for eleven consecutive years. Coaches and officials from around the country speak admirably of Carl's ability and character. It is because of his outstanding work that the University of Arkansas Track & Field Officials' Association has named their highest honor the "Carl Steward Award for Excellence in Officiating." Carl also invested himself in the furtherance of the sport, working to raise money to support high school track and field throughout our state, serving as President of the Arkansas Track & Field Hall of Fame, serving as Officials' and Certification Chair of the Arkansas Association, and encouraging younger officials and coaches. Carl has left an indelible mark across our association and the surrounding states. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Helen Steward; two daughters, Becky Steward and Debbie Fly (Benny); three sons, Steve Steward (Karen), Tim Steward (Laura) and Tim Steward (Tracie); special chosen daughter, Brenda Gray; grandchildren, Daniel Stovall, Scott Stovall, Ashley Angus, Jake Steward, Shane Steward and Bo Steward; great-grandchildren, Jagger Stovall, Nicholas Stovall, Kendall Stovall, Sidney Angus, Kennedy Angus, Colton Angus and Cache Angus; brother, Eugene Steward; sister, Kathryn Odom; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Lorene Steward. Visitation will be on Thursday from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, February 13, 2015 at 1 p.m. at the Powell Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in the L.J. Steward Addition of Shady Grove by Powell Funeral Home, Bald Knob - Judsonia. www.powellfuneralhome.net.