James Stuart Wofford

James "Stuart" Wofford, 73, went to be with the Lord on Friday, August 8, 2025, in Corpus Christi, Texas. A celebration of his life will be held at 11am on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at the Brush Country Cowboy Church near George West, TX.

Stuart was born on February 2, 1952, in Beeville, Texas to Stephen "Roddy" Wofford and Mary Elizabeth (Marriott) Wofford. As a young boy he occupied himself by digging tunnels in the backyard, crafting intricate miniature buildings to use with his train set, sewing doll clothes for cute girls, attending scout and Methodist youth meetings, selling drawings of fast cars for money, annoying his older brother, Doug, and hanging out with his then-local Wofford Cousins. As a teen he worked for his family's moving company, was involved in Key Club and the Thespian Troupe, crafted the decor for the "Neptune's Kingdom" prom with some good friends, and spent a lot of time "tuning up" hot rods out at the Zimmers' place, including his infamous panel van. Legend has it that the "Potty Wagon" could outrun most law enforcement.

After high school, with the draft looming, Stuart joined the United States Air Force and served his country as an air traffic controller in Houston, Taiwan and the Philippines. While overseas, he learned to cook expertly in a wok and on a hibachi grill - his homemade eggrolls and stir fries were legendary. Stuart befriended local artists everywhere he was stationed and from them learned to make horsehair paint brushes, mix paint from natural pigments and press rice paper scrolls. He invested in a chop with which to sign his paintings in the Asian style.

Upon his return to the US, Stuart enrolled in college and eventually graduated with a degree in fine arts with a teaching certification from Corpus Christi State University (now Texas A&M Corpus Christi). Stuart moved back to his hometown of Beeville where he took a teaching position at Bee County College. In his time leading the art department, he drew numerous people to the discipline and provided an outlet for many people's creativity. His students' art sales funded the whole department and were even able to help support other departments at the school. Stuart and his first wife Elva rehabbed two previously condemned houses to become a home and an art studio for their young family and their artistic endeavors, respectively.

During his time at BCC, Stuart and Elva welcomed a daughter, Monica Ann, into the world. After Stuart left his teaching position, he took a couple of years to sculpt and paint for a living. He had art in galleries in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California at one time. He was commissioned to sculpt a piece of art to be displayed in the Children's Library in Corpus Christi in memory of the patron's young family member. He was also commissioned to sculpt a bust of Grady Hogue, then president of BCC. His art continues to be displayed in homes all over the southwest.

It wasn't long before Stuart wanted to move "to the country" and the pair bought some land and started making it a homestead. Stuart was covered on the Corpus Christi news when he built an art studio out of blocks formed from caliche that he mined on the property. When the oil business slumped and people had less money for artwork, he started his construction company which he named "Wofford Contracting and Design." Stuart and Elva welcomed a son, named "Lucas Roderick" after Stuart's father. Stuart worked extra jobs as a well gauger to help pay for the kids' private schooling. Monica and Lucas fought over who got to ride with Stu on his Triumph and Norton motorcycles to go check the wells.

Stuart and Elva parted ways but always treated each other with respect. Stuart spent years building commercial buildings and homes and remodeling both as well. His employees were often also his best friends. He added to his teacher retirement credits by teaching carpentry and construction courses at the federal prison in Three Rivers. Stuart received an award from the Texas Parks Department for the work his trustees performed in creating walking trails and building benches at Choke Canyon State Park.

The Lord blessed Stuart by providing a chance encounter with a sweet and beautiful woman passing through from San Antonio. Carolyn thought Stuart looked a lot like Sam Elliott and their first conversation turned into over twenty years of devoted marriage. They didn't miss a sunset together if they could help it in all that time and he always called her his "San Antonio Rose."

Stuart eventually wound down his company but never really retired. He spent hours every week patching roofs, repairing plumbing, fixing cars, driving friends and neighbors to doctor appointments and so much more. He built beautiful mesquite caskets and boxes in which his friends were laid to rest. He built benches and furniture to be auctioned off to pay for people's medical bills. His servant's heart was always full.

Stuart drew his happiness from his relationships with the Lord and other people. He often invited friends out to shoot or fish, and was skilled in gun repair. He maintained a stocked pond and packed his own bullets. He was perhaps never more happy than when he was sharing his skills and knowledge with others. He taught his grandsons and extended family youth to shoot, weld, sculpt, cast, fire and glaze. His grandsons will have to finish restoring their WWII era Jeeps without him, but the labor of love was began with their Stupaw.

Stuart was predeceased by his parents, Roddy and Mary Beth Wofford; his brother, Douglas Wofford; and his son, Lucas Wofford. Stuart is survived by his wife, Carolyn Asher Wofford; his daughter, Monica Wofford (Ryan); and his grandsons Blake Wofford Wood and Ian Daniel Wood. Stuart was also blessed to have devoted and wonderful cousins in Colorado and the Austin areas. Stuart loved the Lord first, and we ask that any donations in his honor be sent to the Brush Country Cowboy Church in George West, Texas, where he served and worshipped for the last several years of his life.