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"Stu" as we all knew him was a kind,wonderful and outgoing person. He was very active at West Forsyth greeting us every morning with the morning news over the intercom. We also enjoyed him in many plays both on the stage and behind the curtain. When you saw Stu in the halls he always greeted you with a smile. I do not have any information on our friend as far as his passing except that he died in the early 1990's. Cause of death unknown. Stu was survived by many people who loved him.
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Eva Papastavrou (Owens)
I remember when I worked at Belk in high school and I would be there late at night. Stew and Charlie would come to the mall and walk me to my car if they knew I was working. He was one of the kindest people at West. He left me with wonderful high school memories. I will always remember him. Eva papstavrou
Deborah Heacock (Sias)
I remember Stu like it was yesterday. And like Eva, I thought very highly of him. He was one of the kindest gentleman I had ever met. Stewart was everyone's friend. He saw no separation amongst his classmates. I can honestly say that I loved him. He was always, always, always, sincerely my friend.
Terry Hicks (Terry R. Hicks)
Stu was one of the most polished/elegant people I'd ever met. He had a brilliant recall of literature, history, names and events. He had a wealth of jokes -- often bad jokes that were so ridiculous, you couldn't help but laugh. He always concluded the announcements with one of those corny jokes. Some may recall that he also served as the school mascot, The Titan.
His speaking voice was amazingly beautiful -- velvety, like an old crooner or WSJS DJ. I always found it odd that he wasn't a fine singer -- but he was not. We often laughed about that. In fact, when I'd be angry at him for something, he'd start singing which would always make me laugh. Who could stay mad at Stu. There was no hidden agenda or competitive spirit with him. Stu loved everyone. He just loved being surrounded with people. I think it is pretty safe to say that everyone loved Stu, too.
He was sincerely compassionate, forgiving, enormously patient and hopeful in every situation. Every corner pub should have a Stu sitting on the end of the bar who you could come in, sit down next to him, have a beer and talk about the day. I always likened him to Hoss Cartwright (Bonanza). Of course, he'd always say, "you saying that because I'm fat?" Nope, because he was the caring one, the giver, the protector, the brother. He'd have been any kid's example of loving Dad or everybody's favorite uncle at the reunion. He was just as welcome at my Mom's dinner table as I was.
Stu was like a brother to me - a fellow dreamer. We'd sit in WF auditorium and imagine how we'd renovate the place once we made our millions and the programs we'd direct there to bring the art to Clemmons and West as a regular thing, not just one weekend a year. Stuart should've been in broadcasting or Shakespearean theater. He was so talented.
We spoke from time to time after graduation, always planning to get together for dinner. I was so sad to learn of his death. Truly, the world lost a good and sweet soul the day that Stu died but the sparkle of the heaven's grew a little brighter.
His parents survived him: Alan and Flo Whitmore and his sister, Donna.