Caleb Matthew Stuart

Caleb Matthew Stuart passed away unexpectedly on August 14, 2024. He was 22.
Caleb was born to Matt and Dana Stuart in Aurora, Colorado, on August 30, 2001. From the beginning, he was the perfect baby – and, privately, his parents often congratulated themselves for being the perfect parents to such a perfect baby. Then Caleb's brother came along in 2004. Together Josh and Caleb, who were almost exact opposites, shattered their perception of perfection and led them on a wild ride for the next 20 years.
When Caleb was younger, he was a people pleaser with a big heart. You just had to say, "I'm a little disappointed" and he would absolutely crumble. But before elementary school ended, he started to exhibit some independence. It all started one day when he declared that he was going to be a Green Bay Packers fan. Since Matt is a life-long Detroit Lions fan, this was tough for him to hear. But it was assumed this would be a passing phase.
It wasn't. Matt remembers waking Caleb on a Sunday morning when the Packers were playing the Lions. Matt said, "Oh no. It looks like Aaron Rodgers has the flu and may not play today." Caleb's response: "I hope all the Lions players were murdered in their sleep."
So there was still some work to do to perfect the dry sense of humor Caleb would master later on.
As part of exhibiting his independence, Caleb began to focus in on the things he really enjoyed – not just the things Matt and Dana thought he should try. He was very involved in the church (he dedicated his life to Christ at a young age); soccer (which he had played since he was four); scouts (he became an Eagle Scout in 2019); and acting. He loved to make people laugh.
Caleb got involved in the Legend High School Theater Department as a freshman, and he performed in several plays during the next four years. It became such a passion that he decided to pursue a Performing Arts degree at the University of Colorado.
Like many college freshmen, Caleb had a rough first semester. Matt and Caleb met for breakfast in Boulder after that semester – late in 2019 – and Matt said, "I'm a little disappointed." (Caleb later referred to this as the "Come to Jesus" meeting, but Matt remembers it more as an honest conversation about what Caleb wanted to do the rest of his college career.) He said that things would be different the next semester.
And they were, in ways that could never have been expected. In March 2020, Caleb was forced to come home because of the Covid Pandemic. Instead of the independence he was enjoying in Boulder, he was back home again, under one roof with his parents and little brother, not able to do much outside the house.
This is when Caleb really began to transform. He started walking 10 miles a day, probably just to get away from the rest of the family, and he eventually lost 50 pounds. He also rededicated himself to his studies. Covid taught us all not to take anything for granted, and Caleb learned that lesson well.
Caleb went on to graduate from the University of Colorado in four years with a double major in Performing Arts and Psychology. After graduating in 2023, he moved to Thornton, Colorado, for a year. This is where he really took off, performing in several plays and often working three jobs at a time to save money. His goal was to move to California when his lease expired at the end of August 2024. He had saved up enough to cover expenses for a year, even if he didn't find an acting job during that time. He wanted to give it a try, and he always said that he would have regrets if he didn't.
Before he died, Caleb was so excited about the move. Matt and Dana saw him last on July 30, 2024, and it was palpable how ready he was to pursue his passion. He talked a lot about apartments he had found online, and the three of them were making plans to help him move at the end of the month. In fact, the last text his mom sent to Caleb included a couple of apartment listings she thought he might be interested in.
It's easy to talk about "what might have been" but instead the family is focused on all that Caleb was able to do – and everyone he was able to impact – in such a short time. He was an amazing young man.
In addition to being survived by his parents, Matt and Dana, Caleb is survived by his brother (and best friend), Josh; his grandparents on his mother's side, George and Lynn Baisley; his grandmother on his father's side, Carol Stuart; his Aunt Margo and Uncle Scott (and Uncle Ken); and his cousins, Dominic, Jackson, and Layla.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Legend High School's Theater Department in Caleb's memory. Checks can be made out to "Legend Theater" with "In Memory of Caleb Stuart" on the memo line and can be mailed to Legend High School, 22219 Hilltop Rd, Parker, CO 80138.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Caleb Matthew Stuart, please visit our floral store.