Jesse W. Stuart, 73, Reeds Spring, MO.

Cherished father, grandfather, brother and friend, Jesse Stuart, entered into rest on Monday, January 20, 2025 at his home in Reeds Spring, MO at the age of 73.

Jesse W. Stuart was born March 18, 1951 in Glasgow, Kentucky to John & Dorothy (Murray) Stuart.  He grew up in Glasgow and attended Glasgow High School. It was here, his disciplined and competitive nature shown through as he competed in high school shot put. He won the KHSAA State Championship in 1969, was a High School All-American and High School National Outdoor and Indoor Champion in shot put. He set a Kentucky meet record with a throw of 67’-0” that still stands today and his high school record was 71’-11” set in 1970 which stood for 20 years.

His college career began at the University of Kentucky, where as a freshman he was an All-American and SEC Champion.  He transferred to Western Kentucky University where his success as a shot putter continued.  As a WKU Hilltopper, Jesse won the NCAA Individual Shot Put Championship in 1974 and finished in the top 4 in the NCAA competition during 1971, 1973 and 1975.  His achievements also included being a NCAA All-American in 1971, 1973, 1974 and 1975 and OVC Champion in 1973, 1974 and 1975.  He set numerous records at Glasgow High School, the University of Kentucky and Western Kentucky University, some of which still stand today in the Kentucky High School Athletic Association and Ohio Valley Conference.  After college, he continued as a world-class athlete competing in the World University Games, Pan American Games, Mason Dixon Games and winning the 1980 US Open Championship. His prestigious career earned him inductions into the Western Kentucky University Athletics Hall of Fame, Kentucky Track and Field Hall of Fame, Glasgow High School Hall of Fame Inaugural Class and KHSAA Hall of Fame.

After suffering a knee injury, his athletic career transitioned into coaching javelin at Kansas State University in Manhattan for a time as well as traveling abroad and around the United States.  In the early 1990s, Jesse moved to Branson, Missouri and worked in sales with Surrey and Capital Vacations.

Jesse will be remembered for his strength, love and enjoyment of life.  He loved to boat and spend time on the water with his family. Fishing for catfish on Table Rock Lake was one of his favorite pastimes.  He was also a lifelong Kansas City Chiefs fan, celebrating when they won and hating when they lost.  After enduring a heart condition and having a heart transplant, the added years Jesse was afforded and memories he got to make were a blessing to his family. He was a hero and mentor to many, both in the throwing community and in his personal life. Jesse was part of a huge friend group and his life left an indelible mark on the Western Kentucky University family who loved him so much. The accomplished life, example and love that he leaves behind will be forever cherished.

Jesse was preceded in death by his parents, John & Dorothy Stuart and two siblings, Brill Stuart and Elaine McDonald.

He is survived by his daughters, Dorothy Stuart of Reeds Spring, MO, and Samantha Bilyeu and husband Jonathon of Walnut Shade, MO; his grandchildren, Emma Bilyeu, Waylon Bilyeu and Charlotte English; siblings, Regina Hart of East Lyme, CT, John Stuart II of San Angelo, TX, Debra James of Lexington, KY, Howard Stuart of Lillian, AL and Evelyn Squire of Anchorage, AK as well as a host of friends and colleagues.

A gathering to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Stormy Point Village Clubhouse, 201 Old Harbor Lane, Branson, MO 65616.

Cremation arrangements are in the care of Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory, Branson.