Senior Sgt. Larry Stuart Dies at 54
Larry W. Stuart, senior sergeant in public safety and a beloved and respected member of the W&L community, died on July 26 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Stuart, who was 54, had worked at W&L for 29 years.
“He took a personal interest in our students,” said Steve Tomlinson, associate director of public safety and a colleague for Stuart’s entire career at W&L. “He would make rounds on his off hours and check on events, or be working a social event, and I knew that everything would be taken care of. His daily mission was to make everyone feel welcome and at home.”
Stuart was born on Feb. 13, 1960, in Rockbridge County, to Annie Lee McNeil and the late Glen Green. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years before joining W&L in 1985. Among his many public-safety duties, Stuart taught students about alcohol awareness and self-defense.
“People cannot even imagine the positive impact he had on thousands of students,” said Mike Young, retired director of public safety. “He made every student feel that they were the most important person he knew.”
And that’s not all, said Sidney Evans, vice president for student affairs and dean of students. “He was a role model for other public safety officers and for those of us who work with students in different ways. He showed us every day what it means to be a part of a community.”
Two members of that community, Emily Bruner ’14 and Claire Stevenson ’14, immediately initiated an online fundraising effort when they heard of Stuart’s passing, to help his family with medical and funeral expenses. By the time they closed the fund, more than 1,000 people had contributed nearly $48,000.
In his memory, W&L has established the Larry Stuart Memorial Fund. It will provide an award each year to a student who exemplifies Stuart’s character and commitment to the community.
To donate by mail:
Larry Stuart Memorial Fund
Gift Accounting–University Development
Washington and Lee University
204 W. Washington St.
Lexington, VA 24450-2116
Or online:
https://colonnadeconnections.wlu.edu/SSLPage.aspx?pid=235
Under “designation” select “other” and then type in “Larry Stuart Memorial Fund.”
Larry Stuart is survived by his wife, Deborah Stuart; his daughter, Bettie Sierra Stuart, who works in the W&L Marketplace; his stepmother, Kathrine Green; his siblings, Peggy McNeil, Kenneth Stuart, Luciane Green and Osaoldo Green; his nieces, Jessica McNeil and Virginia Larissa Lucas; and his nephews, Julian Green and Antwon Toliver.
Notes for Stuart’s family may be sent to:
Washington and Lee University
The Stuart Family
℅ Office of Student Affairs
Elrod Commons
204 W. Washington St.
Lexington, VA 24450-2116
