Stuart R. Denison
October 5, 1938 ~ September 5, 2026
Born in:
Rock Stream, NY
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly TrailStuart R. Denison, age 87, passed away in the early morning hours of Saturday, September 5, 2026, following a brief battle with cancer.
Born October 5, 1938, in Rock Stream NY, Stuart was the youngest child of Marcus E. Denison and Ellen Francis Jayne. Following graduation from Dundee Central School in 1956, Stuart worked at Ingersoll-Rand and lived at the Imperial Club in Painted Post, NY.
In 1959, Stuart joined the United States Air Force and attended basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. Stuart was assigned to Travis AFB in California, where he met and married his first wife, Louise Ann (MacLain) Denison in 1961. Receiving honorable discharge in 1963, Stuart enrolled in the University of New Mexico and obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Education in 1967. Upon graduation, Stuart was commissioned into the Air Force as a communications officer. He continued his education at the University of Alaska, receiving a Master’s Degree in Public Administration in 1975. He also completed many specialized Air Force training school programs and received numerous awards and decorations. He served in multiple states and internationally in Greenland and Belgium, traveling extensively throughout his military career, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1986.
In later years, Stuart returned to his home state of New York and married his second wife, Marjory Gene (Morris) Denison in 2001. In 2019, he moved to Asheville, NC, to be closer to his sons and grandchildren. Stuart had a warm heart and loved his family and wide circle of friends. He enjoyed researching family genealogy, cooking and eating good food and had an encyclopedic knowledge of antique cars, owning and working on several over the years.
Stuart is survived by his two sons: Douglas Denison and wife Leah, of Decatur, GA, with grandchildren, Clara and Jasper, and Daryl Denison and wife Jennifer, of Asheville, NC, with grandchildren, Lily and Alex. He is also survived by brother, Ronald Green, and sister, Joelyn Voorhees, along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Harold; sisters, Madeline, Naomi and Isabelle; and wives, Louise and Marjory.
A private memorial will be held at Lakemont Cemetery in Lakemont, NY at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a military veteran’s charity of your choice.
Services
Funeral Home Assisting The Family:
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 252-3535
http://grocefuneralhome.com
Paul and I were honored to live next door to Stuart. We enjoyed many of his meals especially the French Onion Soup.
We loved the stories he shared and we were always amazed at what he remembered. Our grandchildren loved him and continue to be thankful for all the birthday cards with ‘ a little money for you’ tucked inside. We will certainly miss you but we are grateful you are no longer sick. Much love the Griffins.
Stuart is missed by all who knew him and that is a very large circle. So sorry to have him pass so soon, but he’s at peace now and telling everyone all his stories that they’ve missed. I’m so glad I was able to visit him in February on my way to Florida. And of course we went for TexMex food!
Stuart’s loss of presence is sorely missed by many. I once learned that a man’s riches in his lifetime are not measured in dollars but rather in the number of friends he leaves behind. By that measure, Stuart was the richest man I have had the privilege of knowing.
I remember Uncle Stuart when I was a little kid, and how much we admired him back then. I also remember him while I was attending Utah State University and he was an Instructor there at the time. I graduated with honors and he helped my parents attend my graduation. Life changed over the years, a great deal, and we lost touch, but I wish him every peace that Heaven can provide.