Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Sun Valley’s first postmaster laid to rest

Clayton Stewart fished with Ernest Hemingway

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By TONY EVANS
Express Staff Writer

Members of American Legion Post 115 assist in a military honors funeral for Clayton L. Stewart in Ketchum on Monday. Photo by Tony Evans

Taps was played and shots fired by the American Legion Honor Guard in salute to Clayton L. Stewart as he was laid to rest in the Ketchum Cemetery on Monday. A large crowd had previously gathered at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Sun Valley to pay respects and tell stories about Sun Valley's first postmaster, who died last week at 89.

"He was an incredible father," said his daughter, Dana Quinney. "Everyone should be so lucky to grow up as we did."

She described a childhood spent fishing, hunting and star-gazing with a resourceful man who could build everything from a horse trailer to a motorized mountain bike.

"He knew the name of every flower and could point to a creek on a map and tell you what kinds of trout lived in the stream," she said.

Stewart put his knowledge of rivers to use guiding well-known figures like Union Pacific Railroad President Averell Harriman, author Ernest Hemingway and movie star Clark Gable to the best trout streams.

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Born in Shoshone in 1918, Stewart served in the Pacific Theater of World War II before returning to work for Sun Valley Co. as head of its transportation department. He also served as Sun Valley city clerk and postmaster. He became the "contact man" for Hollywood moviemakers, helping with logistics for more than 20 films, including "How to Marry a Millionaire" and "Bus Stop," starring Marilyn Monroe.