January 22, 1959 – January 11, 2024
Marion Arthur “Butch” Stewart of Naples, FL, died unexpectedly on January 11, 2024 at the age of 64 of a heart attack at his Naples home only eleven days before his 65th birthday. Butch is survived by the love of his life and best friend Marsha, his wife of 30 years, as well as his faithful Papillion, Tina. He is also survived by his mother, Gayle Wisdom Stewart of Champions Gate, FL, his daughter Jordan Hazelwood (Harmon) and grandson Trevor of Fleetwood, NC.
Butch was born in Portales, NM and is predeceased by his late father Artie Stewart and his brother-in-law Kenneth Pack both of Dalhart, TX. He leaves behind sisters Debbie Isom (Ron) of Amarillo, TX, Kim Pack of Dalhart, TX, and numerous nieces and nephews who will remember him as the rock of their family.
Butch worked at several golf clubs in Texas before relocating to Naples in 1996 to be the General Manager of Lely Resort Golf and Country Club for several years. In 2004 he became the first General Manager for Tuscany Reserve which would later become Talis Park in 2012.
As President and General Manager, Butch was a vital part of the Kitson & Partners family. He dedicated himself to always creating a warm and welcoming environment for all members, staff and guests. He was a “man’s man” with a self-deprecating sense of humor. His leadership and dedication to community service reached far beyond the walls of Talis Park for his charitable contributions and his personal commitment to never say no.
“Butch was my supervisor, mentor and most importantly he was my friend. He hired me in 1996 at Lely Resort and then again in 2010 at Tuscany Reserve. No one ever questioned his loyalty to his team. He was caring, empowering and supportive. I am going to miss him dearly and his sense of humor. Just seeing him placed a smile on your face. He will not be forgotten.” Dave Witt, Director of Golf, Talis Park “I have worked with Butch for 20 years. He will always be in my personal hall of fame for his remarkable leadership, his consistent guidance and his unwavering loyalty to his family, employees and club members. His legacy will continue to inspire those of us who were lucky enough to know the genuine person he was.” Kevin Shields, Golf Course Superintendent, Talis Park
Throughout all of his athletic accomplishments he still remained modest. He earned All-State honors in Dalhart, TX. for football, basketball and golf before
graduating to Dodge City Junior College and Texas Tech University and later qualifying as a member of the PGA. A Texan at heart, Butch was a lifelong fan
of the Dallas Cowboys and won Marsha over when he invited her to dance the Texas Two Step.
A celebration of Butch’s life will be Friday, April 19, 2024 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Talis Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Relief Through Art Foundation in Butch’s honor. Donations may be mailed to:
Relief Through Art Foundation, 107 Lely Court, Naples, FL 34113 or https://reliefthroughartfoundation.org
Pollitt
January 25, 2024, 5:29 am
Marsha,
Sending our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dave and Lisa (Larch) Pollitt
Lisa Nichol
June 3, 2024, 1:54 am
My husband, Calvin, & I worked with Butch in the 90’s at Pine Crest Golf Club in Houston, Tx. I cannot say enough wonderful things about Butch. He was thrown into building a golf course with Calvin and it was sink or swim. They were successful. What a loss for us all.
Brice Groll
June 3, 2024, 9:38 am
I just heard about Butch passing last night. I worked for him back in the mid 80’s and early nineties at Meadowlake Country Club in Shreveport, La and Terradyne Resort in Andover, Ks. Butch was such a great guy and I learned so much from him just about life. I left Kansas and the golf business in February of 1991 and lost touch with him over the years never being able to thank him for the life lessons he taught me. Such a great guy. He will be missed. Prayers to his wife and family.