Charles "Butch" Stewart

Charles (Butch) Stewart passed away peacefully in the early morning of October 22, 2025. He fought bravely and with dignity against an aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Butch was born on November 10, 1945 in Charleston, West Virginia to Maxine and Charles Stewart. Butch passed away just shy of his 80th birthday. He is survived by his two sons Brian Stewart and Greg Stewart, his sister Janet Simon, and brother D.R. Stewart, and his two grandchildren, Owen Stewart and Ada Stewart, and ex-wife Rita Walsh.

Butch was a naturally gifted man in many ways. When he was only 10 years old, he started racing quarter midget cars and then progressed to go-kart racing. He toured around the northeast winning race after race. His greatest racing accomplishment was winning the 1967 Grand National Championship for Go-Kart racing. Driving and racing was literally part of his DNA. His mechanical aptitude led him to graduate from West Virginia University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. His first job was at Rupp Manufacturing, working as an Engineer in the Engineering and Testing sector. It was at Rupp where he met his ex-wife, Rita, and they were married in 1974. After leaving Rupp, he worked several different places before working for IBM and moving to Charlotte with his young family in 1979. Butch worked for IBM for several years, often having to travel to and from California several weeks a year. By the mid 90's Butch decided to find a new career that again incorporates mechanical skills to "fix" anything, including fitness equipment. He and Rita started their own company, Smart, Inc., and Butch quickly became well known for his technical ability, outgoing nature, and dedication to quality service. Smart Inc. had contracts with all the local exercise facilities, and his reputation led to jobs working for the Charlotte Hornets, Carolina Panthers, and Charlotte FC. Brian Stewart, his oldest son, joined the company early on in 1999, and has been leading Smart Inc. since 2019. He has followed in his father's footsteps to keep Smart Inc. a successful company while upholding the dedication to quality technical service. His grandson, Owen Stewart, has even started helping out with jobs and continuing Butch's legacy.

Butch was a dedicated father, friend, and companion in every way. When Brian and his family needed to move to a better school district, Butch sold his home to Brian and Annalies so that Owen and Ada could go to Old Providence Elementary School. Butch loved to help anyone in need, constantly doing things for others at his own expense. He would drop everything and drive to West Virginia to help a friend in need and never ask for anything in return. If a neighbor or friend was having car trouble, Butch would drop everything and lend a helping hand. Rita remembers him fixing a transmission, and while under the car, the transmission slipped. Rather than letting it fall to the ground and potentially break, Butch stopped it with his own body! He let the transmission fall on his head so that his neighbor wouldn't have to buy a new expensive car part! He put everyone and everything else first. That's how he lived his life. Never wanting to be a burden, never wanting to cause anyone problems, and always being someone you could count on.

Butch's talents could surprise you, too. His longtime girlfriend, Faye introduced shag dancing to Butch, and before you knew it, he was hooked. They would travel around North and South Carolina dancing in Shaggin' festivals. In 2010, Butch suffered a stroke, but wasn't down for long! He made an amazing comeback, one that surprised even his doctors. He would spend his free time speaking to the patients at stroke clinics who were struggling from their afflictions. He gave them hope and an example of how hard work, dedication, and a positive mindset can change their lives.

All the while racing was an important hobby for him and his youngest son Greg Stewart. Butch and Greg spent many hours at the race track. They started by racing remote control cars which led Butch to meet Fred Husdon and his son Mike. Butch went on to help the Hudson racing team as part of their crew for several years. Greg recalls his first race in 2006 at the Quincy, Illinois race track, where they both won their B-Limited class races!

Butch will be remembered for his zest for life, love of family, intellect, humor, being a friend and mentor, uncanny ability to make things work, and the capacity to give with a loving heart.