Thomas Joseph Stewart (Tommy Joe), 67, of Wauchula, passed away on Friday, October 16, 2015 at Florida Hospital Heartland in Sebring. He was born January 5, 1948 in Ironton, Ohio to the late Paul Charles and Betty Ann Stewart. He married the great love of his life, Angela Diane Stewart from Wauchula on December 25, 1998.

Tommy Joe owned the Ohio Valley Livestock Company in Gallipolis, Ohio for 23 years, and was one of the largest cattle buyers in the region. He started buying cattle and auctioneering at 17 years of age and auctioned the area county fair sales for more than 25 years. He moved to Florida in the early '90s where he auctioneered for the Arcadia Livestock Market and the Hardee Livestock Market for 22 years. He was an avid collector of pipes, cigars, and tobacco from all over the world as well as operating his own amateur radio station.

Tommy Joe and Angie were married for 17 years and together they enjoyed loving their blended family of five children and nine grandchildren. He taught all of his children to love unconditionally and to always forgive; that is the way he lived his life.

Tommy Joe is survived by his loving wife, Angie; children, JoAnne Sheets (Lynn), Tracy Lynn Stewart-Call (Sean), James Lewis Chancey (Savanah), Kelly Louise Purser (Mike), and Kylen Chancey; nine grandchildren, Dalton, Mercedes, Logan, Alana, Ethan, Taylor, Allie, Jaymie, and Turner; six siblings, Ruthie Grey (Gary), Becky Stewart, Helenlu Morgan (David), Janet Hutchins (Rusty), Barbara Newman (Jim), and Paul Charles Stewart (Lynne); and a host of beautiful nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Charles Stewart and Betty Ann Bradshaw Stewart, and his grandparents, Joseph Wagoner Stewart and Elizabeth Handley Stewart.

Memorial services will be held at a later date in Ohio.