Acker, Stewart Barry

Stewart Barry Acker - age: 71
(October 03, 1944 to June 29, 2016 )
Resident of Ukiah, California

Obituary:
Stewart Barry Acker of Ukiah, California passed away on June 29th, 2016, in Pleasanton, California after fighting short battle with metastatic bladder cancer. Stewart (aka: Stew, Barry, or Butch) was born on October 3rd, 1944 in Bay City, Michigan to Carl “Sonny Boy” Charles Acker and Dorothy Anna (Kamischke) Acker Weiss. He lived 71 years creating a life filled with family and friends; love and laughter.
Stew spent his childhood in Michigan and Ontario, Canada often separated from his family. In school, he excelled as a hockey and track athlete. In his early teen years, Stew was required to work two full-time jobs, postponing his high-school education to help support his family. With his mother’s permission he joined the US Navy, at the age of 17, in winter of 1962. After he completed boot camp in Chicago, Illinois he and his comrade (Tom Stier of Michigan) were stationed in San Diego, California. They served together on the USS Gunston Hall LSD-5. On April 16, 1963, during his tenure he achieved the rank of SN (E-3). Stew re-enlisted in 1964 for two more years and was assigned to the USS Comstock LSD-19. He also was awarded Specialty Title of Quarter Mater QM-0200-0000. He was honorably transferred from Active Duty to Naval Reserves on February 18, 1966. His reserves status ended on March 7, 1968. During his service he received the Vietnam Service Medal. After the Navy, Stew attended college and received his AA degree in Business, while working in the Aircraft Industry. His employment in southern California spanned two companies, McDonnell Douglas and Rockwell International. Stew met Mark Obee in 1973 (whom became his best friend) at The Jolly Roger Restaurant in El Segundo, where he stopped in for coffee every morning before work and associated there in the evenings. Stew also played Softball for their team for many years. Stew and Terisse were married on August 20th, 1983 in Torrance, CA and had a Garden Blessing on August 26th, in Ukiah, Ca. While in southern California he resided in Lynwood, Brea, Hermosa Beach, and Gardena California. In 1985 he relocated with his wife, to Ukiah, California to work for his father in law, Brian J.K. Bell and James and Dorothy Cagle at Kagelini Kabinets, Inc. He was employed there for over 12 years as the Office Manager. He was employed by Maverick Enterprises for the past 14 years as a Warehouse Employee until his death.
From his previous marriage (64-77) he and his first wife were blessed with Son Blake Acker & partner Dawn Shelton of Garden Grove, CA & their 3 children & a great grand-son; and
Daughter Anna (Acker) & Michael Monroe of Brea, CA & their 3 children. From his current wife, Terisse (Bell) Acker were blessed with Daughter Brooke (Acker) & Shawn McEntee of Reno, NV and adopted daughter Caitlyn Ray and partner Austin Ronco & their son of Ukiah, CA.

Stew enjoyed many activities including Board Games, Bowling, Cards, Darts, Golf, Softball, and Travel. Besides his military travels, he traveled to most of the US, Western and Eastern Canada, parts of Mexico, England, France, and Australia. Stew is best known for his smile and for making people laugh.
Stew is survived by: His Spouse Terisse (Bell) Acker of Ukiah, CA; Son Blake Acker and partner Dawn Shelton of Garden Grove, CA; Daughter Anna (Acker) and Michael Monroe of Brea, CA; Daughter Brooke (Acker) and Shawn McEntee of Reno, NV; Adopted Daughter Caitlyn (Nichole) Ray and partner Austin Ronco of Ukiah, CA; Sister Marilyn (Lange) Reed of Dade City, Florida; Brother Charles (Chuck) and Muriel Lange Afton, MI; Brother Edward (Ted or Eddy) Acker near Dallas, Texas; Sister Barbara (Acker) and Scott Anderson of Saginaw, MI; Sister Penny (Acker) and Terry DeLine of Sarnia, Ontario Canada; Step-Sister Donna (Weiss) Hansen of Lansing, MI; Step-Sister Dorie (Weiss) Shaw of the Village, FL; 7 grandchildren, 1 great-grandson and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.
Stew was predeceased by: His Aunt Grace Kamischke in 1903, Aunt Clara Kamischke in 1919; Otto Kamischke in November of 1933; Uncle Clarence “Bo” Kamm March 1986; Father, Carl Charles “Sonny Boy” Acker February 1987; Mother, Dorothy Anna (Kamischke) Acker Weiss November 1987; Step-Father, John Weiss, January 1988; Uncle Walter Kamischke December of 1997; and Father-in Law Brian J.K. Bell October 2003.

Service
Memorial Service “Celebration of His Life” will be held on Saturday August 13, 2016 11 am at Ukiah Bible Church, 2140 Arroyo Rd, in Ukiah, CA with a Reception (lunch and pool party) immediately following.
To help with food, please contact Francis Dodson at Maverick [telephone #707-234-6116 or email fdodson@maverick.com].
Stewart was cremated by Graham and Hicks Mortuary in Pleasanton, California.
Stew requested that part of his ashes be spread at his favorite places along the Pacific Ocean with family and friends present [Little River and Hermosa Beach] and at Lake Michigan; the balance of his ashes will buried at the California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery in Seaside, California at 2900 Parker Flats Road in October because Monterey area holds a special place in our hearts.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the American Institute for Cancer Research (http://preventcancer.aicr.org/goto/StewAcker) or your favorite charity.