Resident Interview with James Stuart

By Sandy Diekroger 

When you ask Mr. Stuart about his life, he responds that it was ordinary and that he simply worked his whole life. Ask a few questions and you will find that his life was anything but ordinary. Even as a kid growing up in Blue Ridge Georgia, James Stuart did in fact work hard. He found a unique way to make money; working as a caddy at the local golf course.

At 18, after finishing high school, James enlisted in the army & began his military career. Listening to James quietly and unboastfully fill you in on his military career, you are in awe as he tells you about the kid he was being sent overseas to France and becoming one of the first military personal to land in Normandy. “First Lieutenant”, “Battle of the Bulge”, “lost all of our equipment” are part of his story but they are more than words to me. I am impressed by his history & his involvement in OUR history.

Mr. Stuart’s advise to those in graduating from college?  Get all of the education that you can so that you can get a good job and when you get that job, then stick with it. In his day, people believed in working and working hard. They chose a career/got a job, worked hard every day and they stuck with it.

Mr. Stuart came to The Holbrook after having a heart attack. The doctors had pretty much given up on him & were ready to pronounce him “dead” when he woke up. He remembers seeing the light everyone talks about as they pass to the other side. He thought about his son & daughter who don’t get along well. He was their connection and he wasn’t ready to leave them so he ignored the light, woke up and spoke to the nurse, scaring the pants off her as she thought he was dead!

Living at The Holbrook, Mr. Stuart enjoys visiting with all and considers everyone a friend. He spends his time catching up on the local news by reading the newspaper& enjoys watching movies on the big screen. Looking for someone to sit back, chat and relax with? You will find that someone with James Stuart!