Jeremy Stutz

Jeremy L. Stutz CHESAPEAKE - Jeremy Lee Stutz, 30, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009. Jeremy was born in Denver, Colo., and at a very early age fell in love with the outdoors. By the time he was 5, his dad was teaching him how to play soccer and immediately Jeremy was hooked. Jeremy played on recreation leagues until he was old enough to compete on middle school teams. He played varsity soccer at Pinecrest High School in Pinehurst, N.C. When his family moved to Annapolis, Md., he played for Anne Arundel Community College, after that he played for Methodist University in Fayettville, N.C. However, the team he felt most honored to be part of was when he was representing the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg. Bonds were made between those soldiers that will never be broken. Jeremy was a passionate soldier who expected nothing less than perfection from himself and his team. They often surpassed every expectation and in record time during maneuvers. Jeremy was twice recommended for immediate field promotion. Sadly, he had to be medically discharged from the Army, but his contribution to his mission and to his Nation was his life's most important accomplishment. Jeremy was an avid history buff and World War II was his area of greatest interest. Jeremy could make a friend out of a stranger almost instantly. He took every opportunity possible to speak with our older vets. He always came away with a story that would fascinate him. He thanked them for their service to our country and was truly humbled in their presence. Jeremy's little sister, Lauren, passed away in 2004. He grieved for her every day of his life because there was nothing he could do to help her be normal. It weighed heavily on his mind and caused him great sadness at times. He was also predeceased by his uncle, John R. Spray, in 2002. Jeremy and Johnny shared a bond much greater than just being nephew and uncle. They shared the same devastating illness and often felt one wouldn't survive without the other. Jeremy is survived by his parents, Jim and Pam Stutz. We loved him with our entire hearts and souls. Our sadness is that we couldn't do anything more to help him. Jeremy also has a younger brother, Jimmy. They were more than brothers; Jeremy loved Jimmy as if he were his own child. Jimmy loved Jeremy and will miss very much the things they shared - soccer, paintball, and someone who he could talk to about anything. Jeremy is also survived by his older sister, Jeannette Ancheta. Jeremy was in awe of his sister for all the endless love she gave him, the wonderful mother she is to her four children and her neverending patience. Jeremy has three beautiful nieces, Jordan, Alexus and Maya and he loved each one for her own special gifts. He has one nephew, Aiden, most of the time they both acted like they were 3 years old. Jeremy has two aunts, Teri Custer of Euclid, Ohio and Darlene Harris of Norfolk; one uncle, Michael Spray of Oregon; and eight cousins. His beloved Grandma Nell Spray, lives in Hazel Green, Ala. A graveside service will be held at Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens, 4569 Shoulders Hill Road, Suffolk, at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28. Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel, is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jeremy's memory to Johns Hopkins University Mood Disorder Center Fund for Johns Hopkins University Medicine, 100 N. Charles St., Suite 409, Baltimore, MD 21201. www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com.