The late Garry Stewart (pictured at front left) poses with WVU Director of Athletics Wren Baker and friends at a football game tailgate. Following his passing, Stewart’s family and friends launched a fundraising effort to honor his memory at the John Chambers College of Business and Economics. (Submitted photo)
Garry R. Stewart, fondly known as “Turtles,” was a proud graduate of the West Virginia University John Chambers College of Business and Economics whose career and personal life reflected a deep commitment to education, community and the Mountaineer spirit.
Following his unexpected passing earlier this year, family and friends launched a fundraising effort to honor his memory at the Chambers College. The Garry R. Stewart and Family Experiential Learning Fund will provide financial support to assist students with educational opportunities that extend beyond the classroom, such as professional development, internships and career preparation.
“Wherever we walk at WVU, we step where someone has stepped before,” Josh Hall, Milan Puskar Dean of the Chambers College, said. “Our alumni remain vital to the life of our community even after they graduate, even after they pass away. Thanks to this gift, Garry Stewart’s memory will live on through the students who benefit from the generosity of his family and friends.”
Stewart, of Cross Lanes, graduated from WVU with his bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1979. He worked for the West Virginia School Building Authority for nearly 30 years, serving as director of finance from August 1990 until his retirement in June 2018. In that role, he oversaw nearly $2 billion in statewide school funding and construction projects, ensuring resources were managed wisely.
“Garry had a personality that drew people in,” longtime friend Mark Cottrill said. “He was incredibly intelligent. He passed the Certified Public Accountant exam on the first try. But what really stood out was his loyalty to others.”
Stewart’s love for WVU never went unnoticed. He attended Mountaineer football games for 50 seasons, missing only one. Cottrill said his passion for WVU football created decades of memories in the Blue Lot, where Stewart gathered with friends on game days.
Stewart passed away April 8, 2025, at the age of 68, after a sudden illness. To remember him at the Blue Lot, his friends created a simple but meaningful tribute: A chair was placed in his honor with his favorite drink resting in it, positioned beside his poster.
Fellow classmate and close friend Jeff Fowler said the sight was touching, serving as a reminder of the countless memories they shared.
“It brings up so many emotions,” Fowler said. “We’ve been friends since grade school, and his passing has been difficult to process. I feel privileged to be a part of the effort establishing this scholarship in honor of Garry. He was a committed friend and proud Mountaineer who will be sorely missed.”
Fowler said Stewart was involved in Nitro baseball for many years and developed a close post-retirement family at Nautilus Fitness Center in Cross Lanes, where he worked out daily.
Stewart has two adult children, both WVU alumni, and was a proud grandfather. His financial expertise was matched by his generosity; he set aside money for his grandchildren’s education and constantly encouraged others.
“Most people will remember my dad for his one-of-a-kind personality and having a good time in the Blue Lot,” Rob Stewart, Garry’s son, said. “But he was also the smartest person I knew when it came to accounting and finances. Even though I’m a CPA, I still asked my dad to do my taxes every year.”
The Garry R. Stewart and Family Experiential Learning Fund ensures that his legacy lives on in the success of future Mountaineers.
“It is never easy to lose someone you love so suddenly,” Sarah Stewart, Garry’s daughter, said. “My dad’s lifelong passion for WVU and his commitment to education and opportunity defined so much of who he was. I take comfort in knowing that his memory will live on by helping students gain valuable experiences that influence their college years and beyond.”
Cottrill noted that Stewart cared deeply about ensuring opportunities were accessible, which makes the fund a fitting tribute.
“Garry left a mark on everyone who knew him,” Cottrill said. “This fund makes sure that mark will extend to students who may have never met him but who will feel his impact in their own lives.”
Stewart’s family and friends partnered with the WVU Foundation to set up a secure online giving page where others can contribute to the Garry R. Stewart and Family Experiential Learning Fund in his memory. All gifts are made through the Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University.