Jon Rolf Stuart died in Tulsa, Oklahoma, March 17th, 2025. He was surrounded by his loving family and devoted caregivers. Jon was born on August 8, 1948, in Oslo, Norway, and was adopted as an infant by Joan and Harold Stuart. Together with his sister, Randi Stuart Wightman (also adopted from Norway), he became part of the Stuart family in Tulsa. Jon was educated in his early years at Holland Hall, before graduating from Culver Military Academy. He matriculated to the University of Oklahoma where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, and the University of Tulsa. He served in the Air National Guard during the Vietnam War. Jon met Mildred Diane (Dee Dee) Lindsey in grade school and renewed their acquaintance in college. They were married on August 25th, 1973, initially making their home in Dallas, Texas. There, Jon worked for Claude R. McClennahan Inc. in the real estate business. In 1976 he returned to Tulsa to join the family business, First Stuart Corporation, where he worked until his death. Jon's professional endeavors included banking, oil and gas operations, real estate, and investments in various business holdings. He served on the board of directors of no less than seven banks and served Tulsa and other communities in many ways, including, Gilcrease Museum, Philbrook Museum of Art, The Boy Scouts of America, The City of Tulsa-Rogers County Port Authority, Boston Avenue Methodist Church, Committee of One Hundred, the Falcon Foundation at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents, the Merkel Family Foundation, Holland Hall, the Edna Gladney Center for Adoption of Ft. Worth, Texas, and the Stuart Family Foundation. Jon served as the Royal Norwegian Consul for a four state region for over 30 years, He was an inductee into the Tulsa Hall of Fame, class of 2014, and received an honorary PhD from the University of Oklahoma in 2018. He was a fourth generation inductee into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, class of 2018, following his great-grandfather, Charles B. Stuart, class of 1933, his grandfather, William G. Skelly, class of 1938, and father, Harold C. Stuart, class of 1983.
But for all his accolades and community engagements, his favorite roles were that of husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was blessed with the love of his wife, Dee Dee, to whom he was married for over 51 years. They had three children, son William, who died in infancy, and daughters Susan Stuart Peterson, and Melissa Stuart Nuzum (husband DJ Nuzum). They had three grandchildren, Landon Peterson, Hannah Peterson, and Caroline Nuzum. He lovingly cared for his Swiss Bernese Mountain Dogs, Millie and Heidi. He treasured spending time with his family, whether it be traveling with Dee Dee, coaching his daughter's softball team, or attending grandparents' days at school. Jon had a special enthusiasm for cars, art, and numerous collections of historical memorabilia. He had a curious mind and a quick, subtle wit that always kept those around him smiling. He is remembered by those who knew him as generous, kind, and always having a positive outlook on life. Even in the midst of his declining health, Jon would often quip "...no one has been more fortunate than me."
The family is very grateful for the support and love of Jon's friends, the employees of First Stuart Corporation, business associates, and the loving care provided by Dr. John Hubner, and Jerry Schuster and his staff.
A Memorial Service for Jon will be held at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church on Tuesday, April 1, at 3pm.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to:
Gilcrease Museum of Art
Holland Hall Preparatory School
The University of Oklahoma
The University of Tulsa