Andrew Duke Stewart

Andrew Duke Stewart, known to many as “Duke” in his younger years and “Andy” thereafter, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Western Prairie Senior Living Center in Ulysses, Kansas, at the age of 86.

Andy was born on October 17, 1939, in Littlefield, Texas, to Andrew Haskin Stewart and Edna Mae (Thompson) Stewart.

On March 15, 1959, Andy married Carole Ann Miller in Tribune, Kansas. They later divorced. On November 13, 1998, he married Cynthia Jo Wooldridge in Dodge City, Kansas, beginning a partnership filled with love, family, travel, and many memorable adventures.

Andy graduated from Greeley County High School, in Tribune, KS, with the Class of 1958, where he served as senior class president. A gifted athlete, he played both basketball and football and continued his football career at Fort Hays State University on a football scholarship, where he played running back.

Throughout his life, Andy was known for his strong work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit, and genuine ability to connect with people wherever life took him. His career included many different businesses and occupations. He worked for Foster Lumber Company in Tribune and Leoti before becoming the owner of Gamble’s in Leoti. He later owned and operated Daylight Donuts stores in Leoti, McPherson, Hillsboro and Liberal.

In 1987, Andy began a career in insurance, working with Farm Bureau Insurance and later Parker Haskins Insurance Agency in Dodge City. In 1995, he moved to Liberal, where he owned and operated Stewart Insurance Agency through Farmers Insurance until 2006. He then purchased Daylight Donuts in Liberal, operating the business until 2008. Andy went on to work as a crop adjuster for FMH and later drove a city bus for the City of Liberal. In April 2018, he began working as an assistant at Miller Mortuary, where he remained until his retirement in October 2020.

Andy’s life was deeply rooted in faith, community, sports, and family. He was a founding member of the Assembly of God Church in Leoti with his first wife, Carole, and later became a member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Liberal. He served on the boards of the Liberal Senior Center and Liberal Elks Lodge #1947 and was involved with the Seward County Republican Party.

Sports remained one of Andy’s lifelong passions. He enjoyed cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals, but his greatest joy came from watching the people he loved pursue their own athletic dreams. He was incredibly proud of his son Monte, watching him play football and basketball throughout his school years. Later, Andy proudly followed Monte’s coaching career, traveling faithfully to Salina to watch the Rose Hill Rockets girls’ basketball team and celebrating their state tournament championship.

He was equally proud of his daughter Cheryl, traveling to watch her coach tennis and taking great pride when she was named Kansas State Tennis Coach of the Year. In later years, he continued that tradition by enthusiastically supporting and encouraging his grandchildren in all of their activities and accomplishments.

Andy and Cindy also shared a love of traveling. Because of Andy’s many business commitments and long hours, most of their trips were short getaways or long weekends. They often set out without a specific destination, simply enjoying the freedom to discover new places within driving distance of Liberal. Wherever they stopped for the night, Andy was usually up early the next morning, striking up conversations and visiting with local residents and fellow travelers. He had a natural curiosity about people and a gift for making friends wherever he went.

Andy had a lively, unforgettable personality and knew how to have a good time. He loved hosting and playing poker and other card games. He and several friends formed the “Rattlesnake Wranglers,” traveling to local fairs and events to put on exhibition shows. He had a well-known love of ice cream, looked forward to the Stewart family reunions each year, and treasured every opportunity to gather with family and friends.

Above all, Andy was a family man. He took immense pride in the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and found happiness simply in being present for the people he loved. His family will remember his hard work, his humor, his stories, his willingness to strike up a conversation with just about anyone, and the genuine pride and love he showed them throughout his life.

Andy is survived by his loving wife, Cindy Stewart of Liberal, Kansas; his son, Monte Kent Stewart and his wife, Allison, of Cassville, Missouri; his daughter, Cheryl Lynn Kucharik and her husband, Steve, of Scott City, Kansas; his stepsons, Shane Abbott and his wife, Missy, of Wichita, Kansas, and Travis Abbott and his wife, Tammy, of Liberal, Kansas; and his stepdaughter, Amy Mease and her husband, Chris, of Wichita, Kansas.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kyle and Ashley Kucharik of Lakeville, Minnesota; Aaron Kucharik of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Krista and Reid Dodson of Wahiawa, Hawaii; Cooper and Leah Stewart of Liberty, Missouri; Gabriel and Kayla Stewart of Leavenworth, Kansas; Tara and Andrew Sheridan of Wichita, Kansas; Austin Mease of Mt. Arlington, New Jersey; Taylor Abbott of Liberal, Kansas; Amanda Sutherland of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Tyler Sutherland of Raymore, Missouri; as well as 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew Haskin Stewart and Edna Mae Stewart; his brother, J.T. Stewart; and his sister, Venita Frankhouser.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 18, 2026, at Miller Mortuary Chapel, with Pastor Tyler Prater officiating. Urn burial will follow at Restlawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made payable to the Liberal Animal Shelter or the Liberal Senior Center in care of Miller Mortuary, P.O. Box 826, Liberal, KS 67905-0826.

Andy lived a life full of work, family, faith, friendships, adventures, and countless stories. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.