‘I Still Do’

Andy Meacham: ST. PETE BEACH — Julius Stewart and Angie Lee Burnham were childhood friends who moved away and married other people.

Both their spouses died young, and of unusual causes — his wife to a gas leak; her husband to a German U-boat.

The old friends reunited and wed shortly after World War II. They were together 64 years, until death separated them last week.

They died a day apart. Mr. Stewart, who was 90, died Saturday. Mrs. Stewart, who was 92, died Sunday.

“I think they decided that they were meant to be together,” said son Lee Stewart. “They almost knew what each other was going to say or do. It was sort of like a communication that you didn’t see.”