VIRGINIA BEACH – James Richard "Jimmy" Stewart, 90, husband of Betty Arrowood Stewart and a retired golf professional, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018.  Jimmy was born June 27, 1928, in Jonesboro, Ark., to William Nolan Stewart and Bertha Greenwell Stewart.

Jimmy was the head pro at Bide-A-Wee Golf Club in Portsmouth from 1955 to 1992. He was a lifetime member of the Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA) and also served as an officer on the board of the Virginia Professional Golfers' Association.

His lifelong love of golf began during childhood, when he worked as a caddie in Arkansas. After his family moved to Portsmouth in 1942, Jimmy continued his passion for the game at the former Glensheallah Golf Club, where he caddied and played. He was recognized at Glensheallah as a developing talent by PGA touring pro Chandler Harper, the club's manager, marking the beginning of a six-decade friendship.

After he graduated in 1946 from the former St. Joseph's Academy in Portsmouth, Jimmy served in the U.S. Army. After his Army service, he attended the University of Virginia on the GI Bill.  As Jimmy's passion for golf grew, his mentor, Harper, eventually persuaded him to leave "The University" and return to Portsmouth, to work for him as the head pro at the new Bide-A-Wee Golf Club. Jimmy's love for golf extended beyond the sport itself and included deep friendships developed with club members, employees and guests during his 37 years at Bide-A-Wee. For 77 years, Jimmy played golf whenever possible; he carded a birdie during his final round, played with his eldest son at Bide-A-Wee in 2017.

Jimmy was a devoted husband and caregiver to Betty, the love of his life. Jimmy and Betty were inseparable throughout their 62 years of marriage and raised six children. In their later years, they doted on their 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

As active members of the local Catholic community, Jimmy and his family were longtime members of Holy Angels Catholic Church in Portsmouth. Jimmy and Betty most recently were members of Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Chesapeake.

Jimmy is survived by his wife; their children, Melissa Stewart Miano (Paul) of Mooresville, N.C.; James T. Stewart (Marta) of Virginia Beach; Jennifer Stewart Parrish (John) of Virginia Beach; Paul N. Stewart of Mechanicsburg, Pa.; Anne Stewart Kozoyed (Larry) of Chesapeake; Barbara Stewart McAleer (David) of Chesapeake; and their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated 11:00 a.m.  Monday, Dec. 3, at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 522 High St. in Portsmouth. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at All Saints Catholic Cemetery, 2701 Elm Ave. in Portsmouth. After the burial, a reception for family and friends will take place in the Pincus Paul Room at Beth Sholom Village, 6401 Auburn Drive in Virginia Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Beth Sholom Village, 6401 Auburn Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464. Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com.