Harold Stewart was recently selected for the 2025 Sabine Hall of Fame Good Citizen Award. He will be honored posthumously for his work ethic, civic contributions and community-minded spirit at the Hall of Fame banquet to be held Tuesday, March 25, at the Many VFW Hall at 1738 San Antonio Ave. at 6:30 p.m. Ticket locations are listed below.
Harold Lamar Stewart was born on March 18, 1951 in Burlington, IA, and passed away on DATE of this year in Ebarb. His parents were Clyde and Cecille Stewart. His siblings were a brother, Jerry, and a half-sister, Melba.
Stewart graduated from Summerfield High School in Summerfield, LA. After graduating high school, he attended Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, but completed his bachelor’s degree at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches where he majored in Business Administration. While in college he began working at Hunt Lumber Company in Zwolle as an Electrician Helper for some years until the mill took new ownership and became Willamette. He remembered being laid off during the transition and the plant manager and electrician coming one morning to his house to hire him back as an Assistant Electrician.
He worked there for the next few years and at Rivers Builders Supply. After earning his Business degree, he went to work for Nichols Dry Goods as manager in Zwolle for seven years. He then became a partner in L&S Grocery until he opened Stewarts Auto Sales in 1980, maintaining that business until his passing.
During his business career, he was a staple to the town of Zwolle. He ran a log truck business, dump truck business - maintaining 20-plus trucks hauling at a time, and he sold thousands of cars throughout his career. He always enjoyed interacting with his customers.
He met and married the love of his life, Joy Sepulvado, in 1972. They have five children: Gabriel, Nathan, Julie, Matthew and John. Harold and Joy lived in the Ebarb Community where they raised their family and where their children all graduated from Ebarb High School.
Harold was a dedicated member of St Ann’s Catholic Church in Ebarb. He served as Usher, Lector, Eucharistic Minister and on many building and finance committees through the years. His volunteer service at the church included working with all events and organizations, and serving on various committees. Harold was active in community service and support throughout his life.
He was chosen to serve as the Zwolle Tamale Fiesta King in 2013 sharing the culture and history of the festival during multiple events. Harold was a member of the Zwolle Tamale Fiesta Board of Directors planning events for each year.
He oversaw the car show for the committee and volunteered for events. He served on the Desoto Regional Hospital Board for many years and was elected to serve on the Sabine Parish School Board 1983-1987 and again from 19942010. He served as Board President during some of those years.
He made a substantial impact on the community of Ebarb while he served as School Board Member, including when a new gym and new wings of the school were built. He was a member of the Choctaw-Apache Tribe of Ebarb and served on their Board as well. Harold had a passion for classic cars and loved to collect them. He showed his collection regularly at parades and at Toledo Cruisers shows. He enjoyed being a member of the Toledo Cruisers car club and attending events. He was always eager to talk about cars and examine the other cars that attended events.
He was a mild-mannered man who enjoyed every opportunity to be with people and help in any way possible. He cherished the time he spent with his family, whether they were celebrating a family occasion or just having a fried fish dinner that he was famously known for amongst his grandchildren. Harold could be found helping with cooking and always making sure everyone was enjoying their time together.
His service to the community demonstrated his good citizenship and dedication to building a good community. He will be recognized posthumously as the recipient of the Good Citizen Award by the Sabine Hall of Fame annual banquet on Tuesday, March 25, at the Many VFW Hall at 1738 San Antonio Ave. at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are available at Nichols, the Office of Sen. Alan Seabaugh, 515 S. Capitol in Many; or from Robert Gentry, (318) 332-8653; Martha Henderson, (318) 2943362; or Pete Abington’s office, (318) 256-4344. All table requests please text or call Laurie Gentry at (318) 332-7873.