Thomas Searight Stuart

Thomas Searight Stuart, age 92, passed away peacefully on the morning of June 24th, 2025 with his daughter Alice by his side. Searight was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania on October 22, 1932 to Edith and Samuel Donaldson Stuart, as the youngest of four children. Upon the death of his father in 1935, he and his mother moved to the Knoxville area.

While a student at Young High School, Searight developed and honed his strong work ethic at establishments well-known to UT students such as Ellis and Ernest Drug Store and Stuart’s T Room – a popular Cumberland Avenue diner owned by his beloved brother Sam Stuart.

Upon graduation from high school in 1950, Searight enrolled at The University of Tennessee where he was selected as a trumpet player in the recently named “Pride of the Southland Band”. However, he decided in 1953 to pause his UT education and enlist with the US Army. He was awaiting orders after boot camp when he applied for and was accepted into the Third Army Band based at Fort McPherson in Atlanta.

It was while in Knoxville on leave in 1956 that his niece Amelia Maples (O’Bannon) introduced Searight to her best friend Marian Hina. Searight and Marian quickly became inseparable - so much so that when the time came to re-enlist, he chose the love of his life, and they were married in 1957 at Graystone Presbyterian Church. They remained dedicated members of this South Knoxville congregation for over 50 years.

Searight’s career as a well-known and respected Fine Paper sales representative began in 1956 with Southern Paper Company in Knoxville. Over his 52-year career, he built strong relationships with his customers, many of whom remained friends after he retired from the industry in 2018.

His leisure activities were centered around family and friends and included camping, boating, UT sports, and the occasional trip to the beach. While he played very little sports, he rarely missed a football game or swim meet in which his three children participated.

Searight is preceded in death by Marian, his beloved wife 62 years, brother Samuel D. Stuart, and sisters Barbara Maples and Edith Sublette. He is survived by sons Tim (Kim) Stuart, Tom (Rhonda) Stuart and daughter Alice Stuart, grandchildren Phillip (Taylor) Stuart, Caroline (Kevin) Taylor, Jonathan Stuart and two great grandchildren.

The family would like to express a heartfelt thanks to his daytime caregivers Rose Corray and Charlott Nair for their love and support, the staff at Morning Pointe Assisted Living Hardin Valley for their loving care during the last month of his life, and to the Covenant Hospice/Home Health team who ensured his comfort in his last days.

A private interment will be held at the East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery at a date to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials and donations may be made to your local animal shelter and/or your favorite charity in Searight’s name.