Stuart Henry “Stu” Elwood, age 93, of Cumming, GA and Burnsville, NC passed away peacefully on November 21, 2023, at home in Cumming, Georgia. He was born on July 26, 1930, in Cortland, New York to the late William Wilson Elwood and Alice Belle (McGann) Elwood.
The family moved to Michigan in 1941 and after excelling athletically, academically and as a leader, Stu graduated from Walled Lake High School in 1948 with a basketball scholarship to Central Michigan University. While at WLHS, Stu played 4 years of Varsity baseball and 3 years of both Varsity football and basketball. He was selected Captain of several of these teams and was named “All State” as a Senior in basketball. Stu was elected President of his Freshman, Sophomore and Senior classes, as well as President of Senior Student Council. After a year at Central Michigan, Stu returned home and married Dorothy “Jane” (Gensler) on August 13, 1950. He soon graduated from the Detroit College of Applied Science with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Stu held positions in engineering, sales and management before relocating the family to Bradenton, Florida in 1972. He again worked in sales and management, ultimately retiring as a Vice President with Barnett Bank (now Bank of America). In 1992, Stu and Jane retired to their small farm in Burnsville, NC where they were welcomed into and became active members of Covy Rock Free Will Baptist Church.
Stuart’s life-long love of travel, for business and pleasure, took him throughout the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, several countries in Europe and to the Bahamas. He dedicated himself to public service and volunteerism his entire life holding positions in PTA, School Board, Little League, Miss Softball America, Boys and Girls Clubs, high school football and his church.
Stu is survived by sons Michael (Nancy), Patrick (Martha), and Kevin and daughter Jennifer (Rick), 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, and brother Fred (Ruth).
In addition to his parents, Stuart was preceded in death by his loving wife of 68 years, Dorothy Jane, sister Marilyn Brown, brother Bill, half-sister Kathleen Miller and half-brothers John and Bob Innes.
Stu will always be remembered as a man who worked hard but played harder and lived by his favorite quotation: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
The viewing will be at Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home, 501 E Main St, Burnsville, NC on December 6, 2023, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and the service will be at Covy Rock Free Will Baptist Church, Green Mountain, NC on December 7, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.
Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home is respectfully serving the Elwood family.
Online condolences may be made at www.holcombebrothersfuneralhome.com
