Obituary of Robert Jack Stuart

Early Monday morning on May 30, 2022, Memorial Day, Bob left this life to start his new life in Heaven. Bob “Bobby Jack” was born on May 7, 1926 in Shawnee, OK, the son of Roy and Clelta Stuart. His childhood was spent in Shawnee until his family moved to Tulsa, OK. Bob attended Will Rogers High School and graduated from there in 1944. He spent one year at the University of Tulsa. In 1945 he became a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated from West point in 1949 as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Air Forces. Bobby Jack was an excellent athlete throughout his life. He enjoyed every sport and excelled most notably in football and track. He was a state champion in track at Rogers and became known as Bobby “Jack Rabbit” Stuart. He played tailback at TU for one year beating Georgia Tech in the 1945 Orange Bowl. Bob then received his appointment to West Point. His Army team went undefeated in his first year and won the national championship. Bob was named to the AP All American Team. He was drafted by the LA Rams and the Cleveland Browns but had military obligations to fulfill. He was later inducted into the original Oklahoma Athletics Hall of Fame and The Tulsa Public Schools Athletics Hall of Fame. He was awarded recognition of membership in “The All Time Greats of Oklahoma Football Team for the Decade of the 1940’s” by the Jim Thorpe Award committee and he was inducted into the Will Rogers High School Hall of Fame in 2009. In 1949 Bob married Harriett Lee Young. They lived in Panama City, FL, Dayton, OH, San Antonio, TX, and West Point, NY before returning to Tulsa in 1954. After beginning his career at McDonnell Douglas, Bob joined forces with his father-in-law, Joe Young, in building the J D Young Company. He enjoyed leading the company for decades with his two sons, Doug and Bob Stuart Jr. He worked every day well into his eighties. He was grateful for every person he worked with who comprised the J D Young family. Bob and Harriett shared wonderful experiences on adventures with many of their lifelong friends from their military days and business associations. He enjoyed traveling the world with Harriett. He played golf all over the world. At the age of 93 he was still enjoying every round. He found the dance floor everywhere he went and spent many hours impressing those who danced with him or watched his skill and joy dancing to big band music. Bob loved and protected his family. He coached his sons in every sport as they grew and was at every sporting event and recital for each of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved nothing more than family gatherings. Known as DADO to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was a constant kind and loving presence in their lives. He was the quintessential role model for his entire family. Every day he displayed amazing faith in Christ, courage, strength and tenacity. He extended love and grace in all circumstances to everyone he encountered. Bob was predeceased by his wife, Harriett. He is survived by his daughter, Jody Stuart Gray, son Bob Stuart Jr. (Patty), and son Doug Stuart (Deni). Grandchildren: Zach Gray (Jennifer), Jordan Gray (Kristin), Blake Gray (Lindsay), Tiffany Marchesoni (Val), Robert Stuart III (Lisa), Paige McCune (Connor), Ali Weaver (Travis), McKenzie Stuart, Jennifer Infante (Mark) and Annie Stuart. Great-grandchildren: Tyler Gray, Conner Gray, Everly Gray, Leighton Gray, Mason Gray, Kennedy Gray, Stella Marchesoni, Charlie Marchesoni, Phoebe Marchesoni, Harvey Stuart, Vera Stuart, Marley McCune, Logan Weaver, Alex Weaver, and Laney Weaver. Bob was a member of Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church, West Point Alumni Association, Southern Hills Country Club, and Tulsa Executive Association. The family wishes to extend our heartfelt appreciation for his caregivers Gladys Pacheco and Jessica Castillo, his primary care physician, Dr. George Pendell and his cardiologist Dr. Sanjeev Treehan. We’re grateful for St. Francis Hospice and a host of other extraordinary physicians and their staffs. A celebration of Life will be held at Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church at 2pm on Thursday, June 30. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association.