Henry Stuart

Henry A. Stuart , 71, passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at Hospice Home at High Point.  We won’t reveal his middle name, even though it was a family name given to him by his parents, Ivan and Mildred Baldwin Stuart, on September 13, 1947.

Henry was known as Rembrandt by Richard Petty because of his skill in making dental crowns. He learned the skill at Durham Tech School and owned and operated Stuart’s Dental Lab in Archdale.

Henry’s years at Trinity High School were happy times as Rita Lewallen Walker guarded the art room closet so he could meet with his many girlfriends.

While attending THS, he came up with an innovative, albeit flirtatious scheme, the Love Kit, actually created by Jerry Van Dyke in the movie “Palm Springs Weekend.” The kit, used at the Tar Heel Drive-In, consisted of a flask, drink mixer, a blanket and newspapers spray painted black to hang on the windows of his daddy’s Ford.

None of those moves impressed Kathy Kirk, the woman he married in 1972, but her hot pants outfit impressed him. They only dated for six months before they married at Archdale United Methodist Church on July 15, 1972.

Henry later managed a dental lab in Jacksonville, NC, but came home to Archdale to open his own.

The couple have three children: Amy Stuart (Bruce Howell) of Cary, Michael Stuart (Melissa King) of Archdale and Zach Thompson (Sara) of Asheboro. While Henry had no siblings, his favorite cousins were Judy English, Frankie Byrum, Charlotte Roberts and Joyce Roberts Beach. He also enjoyed the company of his brother-in-law, Bolen Young of Asheboro and his daughter Ashley Young; and Kathy’s Aunt Judie and Uncle Bill Posey of Atlanta, GA.

The year 1995 began a new journey for the entire family. Henry experienced kidney failure because of polycystic kidney disease, but even that had its blessings. So many kindnesses were extended to the family as he had to close his dental laboratory and go on dialysis.

For 10 years he waited for a kidney transplant. But God knew what He was doing. The kidney he received in 2007 was a perfect match and for that we are eternally grateful to our donor family.

Henry was a mixed bag of tradition and creativity.

For the traditional side of Henry, we will hold a service Tuesday, May 14, at Archdale United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held from 11:45 to 12:45 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Dana McKim, whose name prompts another of Henry’s many life stories.

Among the many serious surgeries that Henry had at UNC Chapel Hill Memorial Hospital, one was quite memorable. The family called Dana, our pastor then, who came to UNC lickety-split. When the surgeon said Henry was OK, we headed to recovery with Dana leading the way.  Unbeknownst to the family, Dana had turned his chaplain’s badge to the Duke side. He pressed on Henry’s sternum. When Henry’s eyes opened, he looked at the Duke badge, Dana and family and said “Where am I?”

Dana answered: “You’re at Duke.”

This man, still drowsy from anesthesia, rose upright in his bed and yelled, “Then I’m in hell.”

Along the journey, many medical providers endeared themselves to the family.

We thank Dr. Jeanne Zekan of High Point Nephrology, UNC providers Dr. Karen True, Transplant Coordinator Carrie Fruhauff, Kelly Sleuss, PA, and Dr. Stephen Heisler. And we certainly thank our neighbors (especially Janice and Barry Zachary), the Upper Reflections Sunday School class, the staff of Hospice of the Piedmont and High Point Medical Center.

For the creative side of Henry, we will hold a wake at a later date.

For now, don’t send flowers, but send a card, email or donation of gratitude to Carolina Donor Services for all the good they do and all the years of blessings we received because of his donor family. Or send a donation to Hospice of the Piedmont.

While Henry only revealed his middle name when legally required, you can rest assured it is written in full in the Book of Life.

Peace. Love. Soul.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Henry Stuart, please visit our floral store.