John Thomas Stewart Jr.
May 1, 2021
John Thomas Stewart, 86 years of age, passed away, on Saturday, May 1, 2021.
John was born on November 5, 1934 in West Palm Beach, Florida, to John T. Stewart Sr., and Wilhelmina (Brandenburg) Stewart who preceded him in death.
John graduated from Palm Beach High School graduating in the class of 1952. He was an Eagle Scout, a member and president of DeMolay and ATO Fraternity at the University of Florida. John received a Bachelors of Chemical Engineering from the University of Florida in 1956 and worked as a research engineer for 3 years for Dow Chemical Company, in Freeport, Texas, before becoming an officer in the US Air Force, serving as a supply officer at Toul-Rosieres Air Base in France. He was released from active duty in 1964 as a First Lieutenant.
John returned to the University of Florida where he received a Masters Degree in Mathematics in 1965. He was a long-time resident of Coconut Grove in Miami, Florida. After teaching math at Miami Dade College for one year, he became the first campus registrar at the College’s South (now Kendall) Campus. He was instrumental in bringing technology to the admission and registration of students and modernizing the maintenance of student records. He was the prime mover in providing the opportunity for students to register for classes using the automated voice response (Star Service) telephone registration system. MDC was the 3rd College in the nation to provide this service to students. John was a leader in creating both state and national standards that allowed for academic records (transcripts) to be sent electronically over the internet to other colleges and universities. Tom was president of both the Florida and the Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers. He was an honorary member of the Southern and National American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers (AACRO) Upon his retirement from Miami Dade College in 2003.
After Retirement John remained actively involved in ACCRAO and P2OW Education Standards Council (PESC) in Washington DC, in their efforts to continue developing international standards for electronic exchange of high school and college student records.
Tom is survived by his brother: Ronald B. Stewart and his sister-in-law: Virginia Reynolds Stewart of Gainesville, FL and Franklin, NC; a niece Laura Stewart Monday and a nephew John Michael Stewart, of Gainesvile, FL. John was preceded in death in 2013 by his life partner Arnulfo DeLeon.
Arrangements have been entrusted with Crevasse’s Simple Cremation, Gainesville, Florida. Online condolences as well as fond memories may be left for John’s family by visiting www.Crevassesimplecremation.com
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I never had the opportunity to meet Tom, but I've heard a great deal about him and his impact on SACRAO (Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Officers). He left quite a legacy. His contributions to the Association will last for years to come. I thank him for his service to our country, higher education, and to our Association.
Tom will be missed. -Jonathan Reece, SACRAO President-Elect (2021-22)
I’ll always remember Tom’s smile and a good word whenever we met at a SACRAO or AACRAO meeting. Thoughtful, easygoing, and so insightful. Those are the words that come to mind. May his memory be a blessing to us all.
I first met Tom in 2004 when he recruited me to the SPEEDE committee at the first AACRAO Tech conference. He is someone I looked up to as a mentor, colleague and a friend. I admired him for his work ethics and dedication to the task at hand. He will be missed and fondly remembered.
My Dear JTS, I was so hurt inside to learn of your passing. You were such a loving person/ “boss“. You will always be in my heart with love/Wonderful memories. I will “cherish you forever” (RIP)Bea Riley
Dear Tom, you were loved, appreciated, and respected by so many people, including myself. Your consistent support of electronic standards was a necessity for a standards organization like SPEEDE and PESC to survive and thrive all these years. And to think you were a volunteer! I am grateful for having had the opportunity to work with you and learn from you. Dave was a wonderful friend to keep others of us updated on your life in recent years, for we were always hungry for news about you. Monterey did a super job of making the tribute video, and I was happy to see your reputation for plaid shirts continued to be well deserved even after 25 or more years! What a thrill to see so many familiar names and faces after all this time. Rest in peace, Tom.
Dear Tom,
I will always cherish my memories of you and the good ol days of the SPEEDE Committee. Your legacy lives on both in your work and the friendships you made along the way. You are missed and will not be forgotten.
In loving friendship, Monterey E. Sims
Dear Mr. Stewart,
"Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts." You will be missed and remember always.
RIP
JTS you were the best person/ boss. I will always cherished your way of teaching us without any hesitation. You will be missed and remember always. RIP.
I met Tom at my first PESC meeting, which he coordinated, on February 1st and 2nd, 2001, at what was then Miami Dade Community College. He was an inspiring person to say the least. Friendly, helpful, always willing to lend a hand or lighten the mood with a great story. And when it came to documentation of PESC standards no one did it better than Tom. I will miss him but his inspiration and spirit will carry on in the efforts and the very lives of everyone who knew hm.
Tom, so sad to hear of your passing. I will always cherish your memories with me and my brother. May you Rest In Peace.
Dear Tom, I wanted to say thank you for your constant support as a boss and a mentor. You were always an example of a great leader. MJ