Stuart Whitfield Sutton

Stuart Whitfield Sutton left this world on February 7, 2019, at the age of 65. Born on February 3, 1954 to Ann Sutton and the late Dr. Julian T. Sutton. He is survived by his children, Erin Keever and Alex Sutton, their mother, Bobbie Tillett Lane, granddaughter, Elise Keever, brothers Jay Sutton and Michael Sutton, and partner Cathy Maya-Matthews.

Moving from his hometown of Scotland Neck, NC, he worked as a bridge builder and carpenter in Raleigh, NC. He later graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and began his career as a structural engineer at Robert M. Stafford, Inc., the firm he later owned and operated under the name Stafford Consulting Engineers. There, he served as president and accomplished purveyor of quirky axioms known as ‘Stuartisms’. “Just sayin’.”

Stuart was an avid traveler and could often be found in Napa enjoying wine or New Orleans consuming jazz and andouille sausage gumbo. On a sunny afternoon, he was fond of riding around in his Mustang with the top down, cruising the Blue Ridge Parkway and checking out breweries in Asheville.

He loved his children more than God loves the little green apples. Stuart was a poet, a mentor, and a dear friend to many. He never met a stranger and often struck up conversation with anyone in an elevator, at a bar, or in line at the grocery store.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery on Sunday, February 24th at 3:00pm. A reception will follow a brief memorial service. Casual dress encouraged. OMB is located at 4150 Yancey Rd, Charlotte.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Cancer Research Institute and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Online condolences may be left for Stuart's family at kepnerfh.com.