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RICHARD STUART Obituary
'RICKY' (FLIPPER) STUART, 54
LAKELAND - Richard 'Ricky' 'Flipper' Delmage Stuart, age 54, went to be with the Lord on Monday, January 16, 2017, due to heart failure at his sister Faith's home, in Lakeland, Florida.
Richard was born in Detroit, Michigan on July 15, 1962, to Mary and Richard Stuart, Sr., and was preceded in death by Richard Stuart, Sr. He is survived by his mother, Mary Stuart of Palmetto, Florida, and sister Faith (Ted) Stuart-Glaze of Lakeland, Florida, and his beloved children, Mariah and Taylor Stuart of Massachusetts, and nephew Drew Stuart Fulmer, and niece, Hope Mary Glaze, both of Lakeland, Florida; sister Cindy Welch, nephews Eric Dohman, Jesse Welch; niece Diana Welch.
Ricky graduated from Lakeland High School and then attended Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee and Polk Community College in Lakeland FL. Ricky loved nature and was nicknamed 'Flipper' due to his amazing ability to imitate the dolphin call. His passion was cooking and Rick was employed as a Chef in many fine dining establishments throughout the southern states. Rick was renowned for his great sense of humor and his social acumen with family and friends. Ricky appreciated intellectual banter and was an avid reader, trivia buff, and enjoyed many sports. Ricky attended church and always maintained his deep spiritual conviction. Ricky loved making people smile and laugh!
The Stuart Family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our family, neighbors, and friends for their concern and love shown to us during this extremely painful time. Celebration of Life Services will be scheduled at a later date.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for RICHARD STUART
Sponsored by His Loving sister Faith, mother Mary, niece Hope & nephew Drew.
Faith your only sis!
February 22, 2024
Faith your only sis!
February 22, 2024
Thanks Rob for identifying Andy and the other guy in the picture. I can´t believe I did not recognize Andy as we hung out a lot together lol. Found a couple more pictures. Obviously, I recognize you next to me but the other picture; is that you next to Ricky with the other guys in the back? And Graham and you and myself with Karen. I remember Karen, Ricky and I went down to Key West for a couple days in 86. That was wild! Still miss him so much after 7+ years! Hope your daughter is doing well, and it appears you are divorced from Melanie and remarried? Take care!
Robert James Garraty
January 16, 2024
Faith, that picture above is of me, Andy Hayward, Rick, and Steve Phillips the summer we rented the house in Newport. Thanks I´ll never forget the fun we had that summer.
Kim Compton Scarboro
September 5, 2022
Gone way too soon! I remember working with Ricky and his sister Faith at Steak and Ale in the 80's. Ricky had the best sense of humor of anyone I have ever met. He was super smart and quick witted. Actually very talented in expressing his humor. He always had a smile on his face and had everyone else smiling too. The world was truly a better place with him in it. He will be missed dearly. So very sorry for your loss. RIP Ricky.
Faith Stuart
September 3, 2022
Neina Compton sitting between two of her favorite men, Michael George on the left her sister Kim´s ex-boyfriend and my brother Richard on the right! The 80´s were so much fun lol
Faith Stuart
September 3, 2022
Found this pic of I think Rob G. far left and I don´t know the others with Rick his friends from Marco Island.
Robert Garraty
May 6, 2021
Rick was my friend when we lived on Marco Island for many years and he and a couple of other friends of ours spent a memorable summer in Newport, R.I.. His memory crosses my mind occasionally. We had a lot of good times and laughs together.
Mom and Ricky in Marco Island
Faith Stuart
October 8, 2019
Ran across this pic of you and mom and remember how much she loves our Ricky Doodle! Today is Drew's birthday and it took me back to our excursions; one to Universal to celebrate his birthday, and how much fun we always had! Still thinking about you every day and yes, I still cry! Lost my only brother! It's hard not having a sibling to talk and laugh with! Will see you in Heaven one day Ricky Doodle! Miss and love you so much!
Taylor and Dad ❤❤
Faith Stuart-Glaze
March 31, 2019
Ricky, Taylor & Faith ❤❤❤
Faith Stuart-Glaze
March 31, 2019
Ginger Young
May 30, 2018
It always seems 'unexpected' when someone we care about passes. But, watching someone closely connected who was left behind, still grieving the passing, has deepened the sadness. It has been so difficult for my friend Faith because she so loved her brother. I can understand, because if you ever met Ricky... you could not miss him because his outgoing personality filled the room! Every time I saw Ricky... he was happy and he always had at least 3 new jokes to tell. Another thing I can remember about Ricky is that he loved to feed people and Chef Ricky was an awesome cook! At social gatherings, Ricky would disappear into Faith's kitchen and make some delicious creation and then serve everyone on the back porch his surprise delicacy. Also, Ricky was a 'big kid' and you could see how much he loved playing pool, swimming or just hanging out watching TV with Drew & Hope. It's evident that Ricky's passing left a very big vacancy in many lives and hearts. The joy that Ricky brought whenever he was near will be missed. I pray that God gives you comfort. But, I understand missing Ricky's laugh and the best Flipper impression I've ever heard!
God bless you, Ginger
Ricky's son Taylor holding his nephew Cahlin! So precious! Two handsome guys!
Faith Stuart
January 19, 2018
Cahlin Stuart, Too cute!!!
Faith Stuart
January 19, 2018
Cahlin Stuart, Love these beautiful blue eyes!
Faith Stuart
January 19, 2018
Cahlin Stuart, What a handsome baby!
Faith Stuart
January 19, 2018
Cahlin Stuart, Mariah's son, Ricky's grandson
Faith Stuart
January 19, 2018
Newborn Cahlin Stuart. Ricky's grandbaby
Faith Stuart
January 19, 2018
I actually wrote to you on your birthday 7/15/17, and it was never posted; must not have pressed the right button, who knows, I was wishing you a happy birthday and telling you about your Grandson Cahlin Stuart, Mariah's son. It broke my heart when we had to tell them of your passing and then they informed us she was pregnant. This past Tuesday, 1/16/18, was a year since we found you unresponsive and gone from heart failure and so far, the most traumatic day of my life. I came down with the flu on 1/15/18, the same day you were sick before we found you, a year ago. I think the combination made me sadder remembering a year had past. I still cry for you and miss you and don't really understand why you had to leave so soon. Maybe one day I will understand. I just wanted to tell you that you are always in my thoughts and memories and oh how I wish you were still here. I'm posting pictures of your handsome little grandson who turned 6 months on 1/6/18. Love you Ricky Doodle! Your sister, Faith.
Mom and teen-age Ricky!
Faith Stuart
February 27, 2017
Drew & Ricky with Faith's beach hat!
Faith Stuart
February 27, 2017
Faith (Drew in my tummy), Teri, & Ricky at Disney!
Faith Stuart
February 22, 2017
Handsome Taylor and his lady friend!
Faith Stuart
February 18, 2017
Beautiful Mariah & Wendy!
Faith Stuart
February 18, 2017
Taylor playing with Daddy!
Faith Stuart
February 18, 2017
Proud Daddy with Taylor!
Faith Stuart
February 18, 2017
Ricky and little Taylor!
Faith Stuart
February 18, 2017
Ricky and newborn baby Mariah!
Faith Stuart
February 18, 2017
Steve Eskenazi
February 13, 2017
I just wanted to express my condolences to family. I remember Ricky from my intermediate guitar class at LHS. We sat in close proximity and became buddies. Ricky was always full of jokes and stories. He also wrote what has to be the funniest note anyone ever wrote in my year book. At the end of the note he wrote that it had been good to know me and I would like to say to Ricky that I won't forget your warmth and sense of humor my friend.
Marie Giglio
February 8, 2017
Faith, my heart felt sympathy for the lose of your bother and best friend. I wish I had the opportunity to meet him.
Ricky always having fun!
Faith Stuart
February 2, 2017
Faith and Ricky
Faith Stuart
February 2, 2017
Ricky, a gal, and sports car.
February 2, 2017
Faith, Ricky, and Cousin Dana
February 2, 2017
Flipper under water!
Faith Stuart-Glaze
January 29, 2017
Ricky relaxing in the snow
Faith Stuart-Glaze
January 29, 2017
Ricky and childhood best of friends!
Faith Stuart-Glaze
January 29, 2017
Taylor and Mariah with Santa
Faith Stuart-Glaze
January 29, 2017
Ricky, Faith, Dad & Babygirl
Faith Stuart-Glaze
January 29, 2017
Faith Stuart
January 27, 2017
Ricky, where do I begin? You started out my annoying, prankster little brother, and then in our 20's, you became an amazing little brother that I was soooo proud to have! When you first moved to Marco Island, I couldn't wait until you returned for a visit. Family and friends were all anticipating your arrival as everyone knew it would be several days of good times, and so many jokes and laughter. You were always the life of the party and so brilliant! You could stay up all night telling joke after joke until the other party conceded and admitted you were the King of joke telling! We will never forget the trips to Marco Island and then Naples to visit you, and then you and Wendy and your beautiful children, Taylor and Mariah. They were all you ever talked about and with good reason, they turned out amazing, so bright and beautiful, inside and out, just like you! When I would tell Drew that his Uncle Ricky was coming to visit, we couldn't wait until you arrived as we knew it would be a weekend of laughter and theme park fun and family and friend visiting and nothing could compare. Remember Hope's chorus concert? You were just sitting there dying to join her in her song, as you just LOVED singing out loud! I just told you we would have to take her to a theme park soon... Do you remember when Art and I went to visit you and I was almost 8 months pregnant and when we arrived at your restaurant, the employees told us you were out on the cruise ship. Art and I walked out to the dock and I told Art to stay back, as I wanted to play a joke on my brother. I walked down the dock to the boat and put my hands on my stomach and asked the guys to Please!!!, get Richard Stuart, because we needed to talk right now about what he did! When they got you and you came out, you immediately laughed out loud, and said, Guys!!!!, that's just my sister playing a joke on me! We played many more throughout the years. When you came up on 12/22/16, to spend the holidays and longer with my family, we were going to get you situated with your back problems which were causing you such extreme pain that interfered with your passion of becoming the Master Chef you always dreamed about. We didn't even get a chance to get your doctor's appointment due to just celebrating the Christmas holidays and my returning to work. You had been prescribed an anti-inflammatory which alleviated that severe pain you suffered, so I thought we had some time. You were wonderful helping around the house painting and pressure washing and we celebrated a nice dinner at Bonefish and movies and our favorite board game, Scrabble! All I remember is you asked me if the neighbors would mind you pressure washing Sunday afternoon and I told you that would be fine; not much noise. I left early the next morning and was out basically the whole day getting my car serviced and running other errands picking up Hope but not checking because she said you were still sleeping. I never knew you felt ill the night before because Ted told me the next day that the night prior, you had mentioned you had an upset stomach, but nothing of concern. To my shock and extreme despair, you never woke up that day and you changed my life forever! I lost my baby brother and the only one that could just make me laugh and cheer me up no matter what was going on in my life. Our mother lost her only son and she is broken hearted but I don't know who hurts more, as I haven't stopped crying since the day you left, January 16, 2017. I've actually asked God to wake me up from this nightmare as I don't want it to be true! You will always be in our hearts, and I now have comfort knowing I will see you one day in Heaven and that you are there right now with Sabrina, our first adorable Boston Terrier Mix, Chubby, Madison, Cousin Lynn, Aunt Evelyn, Uncle Buck, Cousin Jay, Aunt Ruth, Uncle Bo, Aunt Myrtle, Cousin Deanna, and if I missed anyone, I'm sorry, but you know! I love you so much Ricky Doodle! Watch over us, and we will see you in Heaven one day! Love you soooo much, Your sister, Faith
Drew Fulmer
January 23, 2017
I got a little choked up reading this. It's surreal you're gone. Nothing will ever take away the memories you've given me that will last a lifetime. I'll never forget when mom would say you were visiting or we were visiting you. I knew fun was in store and lots of it. I remember visiting you at your restaurant and throwing bread off the dock and the fish going crazy. I remember watching Forest Gump a million times in a row at your house when I was little, but it was somehow fun because it was at your place. I'll never forget all of our trips to theme parks. We would always ride every ride twice. The first time was strictly to find where the cameras were that took the picture of us during the ride. The second time was to make a funny face or pretend to be asleep for the picture. So, once we went down to look at everyone's pictures, there was us pretending to be asleep or making the funniest face ever. And we just laughed and laughed and went to the next ride. You could talk to anyone about anything. I miss that Uncle Ricky. I miss the guy who overtipped at every restaurant because you know what it was to serve. I miss Jeopardy with you. I miss laughing with you. I miss you making me laugh. Mom misses you so much. Take care of her if you can. I feel like if you are an angel, you would go out of your way to show us. Please be with her and give her comfort. You left us too soon. I want you to know, I can't accept that you are actually gone yet. I want to just believe you're in Marco Island working at a super nice restaurant. And you're dating a beautiful girl. And you're having so much fun. And we're going to get a call soon with you leaving a ten minute message asking for one of us to answer the phone.."Hope, pick up the phone...Faith, are you there? Ted? Drew are you there?
Chubby...Orca?" I'll be waiting on it. Rest easy, Uncle Ricky. I got a lot of love for ya. We all do and always will.
Theme Park Funny Pic
January 22, 2017
Mariah playing
January 22, 2017
Taylor at Christmas
January 22, 2017
Taylor & Mariah, Ricky's children who made him the proudest!
January 22, 2017
Ricky up visiting his newborn niece, Hope Mary!
January 22, 2017
Ricky & nephew Drew on a Theme Park excursion
January 22, 2017
Ricky up visiting at X-Mas from Marco Island!
January 22, 2017
Sister Faith, Nephew Drew, and Rick at Universal
January 22, 2017
Anne Hadley
January 22, 2017
May God bless you and your family at your time of sorrow. I am praying for you Faith.
January 22, 2017
Mary, my heart is sad as I contemplate your grief as you mourn the great loss of your son. I pray that your sadness will fade as time passes and leave sweet memories of past times. May you be comforted to know that others care and are praying for you and your family. Peggy Dorminey
Ricky & his Jag!
January 22, 2017
Mary Stuart with Wendy, Mariah & Taylor
January 22, 2017
Faith, Rick, Aunt Ruth, Aunt Evelyn, Uncle Buck & Drew
January 22, 2017
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