James Hugh Stuart's Obituary
James Hugh Stuart, 77, of Columbia, IL, passed away suddenly of natural causes while attending a basketball tournament in Collinsville, IL.
Jim was a beloved teacher, baseball coach, basketball coach, and Athletic Director at District Unit 4 Columbia High School from 1968 through 1994 and officiated many local sports, including football, basketball, and baseball. Known to his students and former players as "Big Daddy", he taught History, Driver’s Ed, Health and P.E. In 1967 he coached Chester High School baseball to a district championship. As coach of Columbia boy’s baseball, he led his teams to 425 wins and many conference titles including 1971 and 1973 Cahokia Conference Champions, 1982 IHSA Regional Baseball Champions, and 1987 IHSA Illinois State Baseball Class "A" Champions - Columbia’s first ever state title win for any sports team.
He was also honored to receive the CHS Sports Hall of Fame induction in 1985, Pitch & Hit Class "A" High School Coach of the Year in 1987, National High School Head Baseball Coach Gold Award in 1987, National High School Coach of the Year in 1988, and the Mayor’s Award for Excellence in 1992. One of his proudest achievements was being inducted into the IHSBCA Illinois Coaches Hall of Fame in 1987.
Born in Granite City, IL, on Sept 29, 1937 to James and Verna (nee Diehle) Stuart, who both preceded him in death, Jim was active in his local DeMolay chapter and became its Master Councilor. He graduated from Granite City High School in 1955, earned his Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, MO in 1958 and later earned his Master’s degree from Northeast Missouri State in Kirksville, MO. While at MVC, he met his future bride, Elizabeth Browning, whom he married on Aug 1, 1959. They both taught at Gallatin, MO; Madison, MO; Chester, IL; and Columbia, IL.
Jim was also a scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates and a member of the Columbia Sportsman Club. He will forever be remembered for his bold sense of humor, hearty laugh, storytelling and how he always took time to reminisce with former players and students. He loved college sports (SIU Salukis and Mizzou Tigers), fishing, working with kids, learning Civil War and Old West history, music, and caring for animals.
SurvivorsSurviving are his wife of 55 years, Elizabeth "Betsy" Stuart of Columbia, IL, his brother Robert (Sandy) Stuart of Edwardsville, IL, his son Steven (Tricia) Stuart and grandson Wilson of Addison, TX, his daughter Kelly (Greg Moss) Stuart of West Frankfort, IL, sisters-in-law, Barbara (Charles Folkert) Browning of Troy, MI, and Rose Ann Browning of Hendersonville, NC, his nephews and nieces, Steve (Katie) Stuart and their children, Dean and Hannah of Edwardsville, IL, Stacy (Randy) Wimmer and her son, Taylor Lockhart of Moseley, VA, Robert (Vanessa) Browning of Las Vegas, NV, John (Alex) Browning and their children, Jacob, Natalie and Sabrina of Hurley, NY, Jane (Doug Hockom) Browning of Thomas, NV, and countless friends
Celebration of Big Daddy's LifeSaturday, January 31st, 2015 1:00 pm - 5:00 pmColumbia Turner HallA Memorial Toast will be held at 3:00 pmEveryone is invited and welcome to share their memories
Memorial Contribution SuggestionsAnyone who would like to honor Coach Stuart’s memory can make a donation to: Columbia Eagles Athletic Booster Club, P.O. Box 952, Columbia, IL 62236, or Shriner's Hospital for Children, 2001 So. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63131-3597
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