Donald "Don" Allen Stuart

Donald “Don” Allen Stuart, age 65, of Green Valley, Arizona died on April 14, 2024 at 12:15 am at St. Mary’s Hospital in Tuscon, Arizona.

Don was born on February 9, 1959 in Evansville, Indiana, to Bob and Betty Stuart, along with his identical twin, David. Older brother Dan welcomed them home. Don attended Fairlawn Elementary and Bosse High School, both in Evansville.

Every Thanksgiving, Don and his brothers went to the Thanksgiving Shrine Circus. The twins were mischievous. In second grade, Don and David switched classes to see if they could fool their teachers. Another time, Don got a cat and kept it hidden from his mother awhile. The twins would go to Bible studies just to meet girls.

The brothers all loved spending time in summer at the Stuart farm in Missouri where they fed chickens and worked with cattle. Bob took the boys camping out West in a little pop-up camper. This led to a love of the American West.

Don married Jane Kinman in 1978 (divorced 2001) in Petersburg, Indiana. Jamie was born to them two years after (1980), followed by Andrew (1984) and then Matthew (1996). Don attended Indiana State University and Hanover College, graduating in 1984 with a degree in geology.

In 2005, Don married Trisha Cardinal in a private ceremony in Henderson, Kentucky.

For most of his life, Don worked in the coal industry. He traveled with his job on many occasions. He loved being on the road and meeting other people. In 2006 he was promoted to lab manager with SGS, a leading testing, inspection and certification company. He continued working faithfully for the company for 15 years.

Don loved hiking, camping, and rock collecting. He was happiest when he was outdoors. He loved teaching others about rocks and minerals. He and his wife, Trisha, worked multiple rock and mineral shows all across Idaho, Wyoming and Utah. He did presentations for local rock clubs and began his own rock club in Kemmerer, Wyoming. He volunteered tirelessly. He always said he wanted to save the world.

Jamie’s favorite memory of her Dad is the time when they needed to pick up Jane and Andy from the airport in Cheyenne, 3 hours from their house. They packed their camping gear and left the day before the flight arrived. They spent the day fishing and sitting by the campfire talking. She got her love of hiking, reading, stars and rocks from Don.

Andy remembers how special the time was he spent fishing with Dad.

Matthew cherishes his memories of hiking with Dad and attending many sporting events, including a Diamondbacks game, an All-Star baseball game, an Indianapolis Colts game and a Boise State basketball game.

Vivian holds dear the memories of making hot tea with honey for Don when he was feeling blue. He would brighten up at the simple gesture of love.

Don is survived by his wife, Trisha (m. 2005); children, Jamie (Dustin) Pohlman, Andrew (Kelly) Stuart, Vivian Pate, and Matthew Stuart; and grandchildren Jakob Pohlman, Maggie Pohlman, Evelyn Pohlman, Ryan Pohlman, Kai Stuart, Leilyn Stuart, Louise Pohlman, and Caspian Pohlman; brothers, Dan (Denise) Stuart and David (Kathi) Stuart; nieces, Brandi Clifford,

Brittney Dick, Erin Cardinal and Camryn Cardinal; nephews, Steve Stuart and Jack Cardinal; father-in-law, Norman Cardinal.

A Celebration of Life will be held May 11, 2024 at 2 pm at the Cattletown Steakhouse and Saloon at 3141 East Drexel Rd. Tuscon, AZ 85706.

A heartfelt thank you to those who cared for Don during his illness, particularly the hospice workers Terri, Rob, Marcy and Leslie. Many, many thanks to Kathi Stuart and Vivian Pate who worked tirelessly to ensure Don’s final days were peaceful and dignified. You are seen, loved and appreciated.

As I sat with my Dad during some of his last days, this poem was constantly in my mind like a refrain.

Do not go gentle into that good night—Dylan Thomas

Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night. Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night. Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.