Brothers, it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Brother Douglas Maurice Stuart ’55 into Ad Astra. We want to extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and loved ones.
Source Courtesy of legacy.com
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Doug Stuart age 92 of Shooting Creek, NC on 06 April 2026, following elective surgery. He died peacefully surrounded by his family and was received into the arms of Jesus.
Doug was born in Salem, New Jersey on July 12, 1933, where he earned his Eagle Scout badge. He received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering (1955) at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. While at Purdue, he served as the President of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, Editor of the yearbook and member of the NROTC unit. Post graduation, these leadership roles helped prepare him for service as a Naval Gunfire Liaison Officer with the 1 st Marine Division, in charge of 30 enlisted and three fellow Naval Officers aboard the USS Vermilion. He also served aboard the Battleship Wisconsin stationed at Norfolk VA. After receiving an honorable discharge, he attained an M.S. in Industrial Management at Purdue’s Krannert School and was subsequently employed as a Sales Manager for Jefferson Chemical (a subsidiary of Texaco Chemical) where he had a 30-year career. After retirement, he started yet another career, as a distributor for Shaklee, a health & wellness company. Following graduation, Doug married his Purdue college sweetheart, Jane Heath Stuart, with whom he shared (among other things) their love of Hayesville, its people and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. After moving to Hayesville in 2004, Doug shared his time and talents with several organizations; these included, among others, the Episcopal Church of Good Shepherd and the Rotary Club of Lake Chatuge. At Good Shepherd he was elected to the vestry in 2007 and was Senior Warden in 2008. He completed nine years on the Finance committee in 2009 and led the church to obtain approval of a major building expansion in 2010. His volunteerism also included tutoring 1 st & 4 th graders at Hayesville Elementary School and participation in Meals on Wheels. All who knew Doug will miss his sense of humor, his generosity and most of all, his Positive Mental Attitude. Even in his 90’s he was open to learning something new. The greatest example of which was his lease of a 2026 Tesla Model Y; a self-guided rocket ship that was the twin of his son’s. He played 18 holes of golf, three times a week, at age 92. His love of the game and associated fellowship was a driving force in his life.
He is survived by his son, David Stuart, and his wife, Sylvia; one daughter, Jennifer Stuart Kuenzle and her husband, Jay; and grandchildren Jack, Katie and Kellie.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Lake Chatuge Rotary. PO Box 454. Hiawassee, GA 30546.
Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville in charge of all arrangements.