Ex-Star sports editor, longtime journalist Stewart dies at 70

Mark Stewart, a longtime journalist and former Arizona Daily Star sports editor, died Oct. 29 of a heart attack. He was 70.

Stewart was visiting a friend when he suffered “the massive attack,” said his wife, Phyllis Stewart, who mentioned that her husband had heart disease and other illnesses.

“We had an easygoing life with lots of friends and family. He was well liked,” said Phyllis Stewart, who was married to Mark for 33 years.

Star editorial cartoonist David Fitzsimmons said he was saddened my Stewart’s death. He remembered him fondly on a Facebook post: “He disagreed with me on everything, and he made me laugh. He was brilliant. I always told him he should write a conservative column. It would have been so funny, it would make liberals laugh.”

“What a mischievous guy,” wrote Fitzsimmons. “My idea of a Marine. Rock solid salt of the earth, brilliant sharp smart ass. One of a kind. Lucky to have known him.”

Fitzsimmons also recalled Stewart’s work: “And a great scrupulous copy editor who experienced mirth when he spied an error.”

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Stewart was born in Evanston, Illinois, and studied at the University of Iowa before joining the Marines in the late 1960s. He was honorably discharged after 10 months for medical reasons, his wife said.

He returned to the University of Iowa and studied journalism. He began his career as a newspaper reporter in Corpus Christi, Texas, in the 1970s. He also worked as a newspaper sportswriter in Great Falls, Montana, and then was hired by The Times-Picayune in New Orleans.

In 1981, Stewart was hired at the Arizona Daily Star as a copy editor and also served as a sports editor for several years before returning to the copy desk. During his work at the Star, Stewart also wrote articles that were published in Sports Illustrated and Golf Magazine. He retired from the Star in 2009.

In addition to his wife, Stewart is survived by two children, two grandchildren and three brothers.

A memorial celebrating Stewart’s life for his family and friends is set for Jan. 21, 2017, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the family’s home.