Obituary of Harry Gene Stuart

Harry Gene Stuart, 67 of Port Charlotte, Florida passed away on Friday, November 25, 2016 at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Charlotte County surrounded by loving family. Harry was born on January 15, 1949 in Newburgh, New York to Harry C. Stuart and Velma Jean Goode and was the oldest of three children. Harry was a Vietnam Veteran, serving as a boilerman in the Navy aboard the USS DeHaven. He owned and operated a plastic molding company in Colorado before moving back to Florida to work for the Florida Farm Bureau, and closed his career in manufactured housing sales. To truly know Harry was to love Harry. He had a deep rooted passion for his family, friends and the water, and his little canine sidekick, "Skipper". He was hard working, compassionate, honest, loving, forgiving and just plain fun to be around. While filled with stubborn pride, he never spoke ill of others and was the first to silently help someone in need. While working in the insurance industry I remember him coming home with fresh vegetables or other odds and ends for which we had no need or use for, this was something I never understood until I learned that he accepted these items from families who were down on their luck, unable to pay their premiums on occasion. He would buy this stuff not for him, but so that family could maintain their insurance. He was selfless in every sense of the word, a beautiful soul. Harry was always engaged in service to others, volunteering much of his time to serve the communities he lived in. He served as the Chaplain and Exalted Ruler of the Elks Lodge, a past President and member of the Board of Directors for the DeSoto County Chamber of Commerce and served as a past Director to the Arcadia Rodeo Association. He was a member and founding Commodore of the Navigator Boat Club and served in the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Charlotte County. He was a man who shouldered his share of burdens and trials, which refused to let others help carry the load. He could be every bit of the sailor he was, but was a man of great faith in the Lord in whom he has taken eternal refuge. He will forever be remembered for his sparkling blue eyes, contagious laugh, and his countless late night counseling sessions, ridiculous voicemail messages and refusal to succumb to the rough seas of life. Harry was preceded in death by his father, Harry C. Stuart; mother, Velma Jean Stuart (Goode), and his sister Jeanette Koester. He is survived by his loving wife, and best friend, DeMaris (Clements) Stuart, six loving children and 11 grandchildren: Sean Hillard; Brandi Pyles (Dylan and Jack); Mandy Hines and her husband Clinton (Mckayla and Sidney); Martha Gillette and Steve Gibson (Kristen, Gavin and, Dalton); Rebecca Stocklen (Taylor and Morgan); and Clayton Jay Stuart and his wife Kerri Fontaine (Jonathan and Westin), and a number of relatives including a brother, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins and a host of great friends. Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial celebration of Harry's life on Saturday, December 17th at 11:00 a.m. at Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home, 9400 Indian Spring Cemetery Rd., Punta Gorda, FL 33950 followed by a reception at Diane Flint's home. Thank you to all who have lent such great support to the family in this time of need, words cannot express our gratitude. "If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:9. Pay respects at www.charlottememorial.com