Stuart Ivey

Friday, May 21, 2010
Stuart Ivey

Stuart Alan Ivey, of Mountain Home, passed away peacefully Sunday, May 16, 2010.

Stuart and his wife, Mary, have lived in Mountain Home for the past 32 years.

A memorial service was held on Thursday, May 20, at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel. Mr. Ivey was interred to rest at the Mountain View Cemetery with military honors, provided by the American Legion Post #26.

"Stu", as he was known, was born to Clair and Hazel (Sisk) Ivey on May 28, 1929, in Merced, Calif. His childhood was spent split between Grass Valley and Merced, Calif.

Stuart spent two years in the Army Tank Testing Corps in Yuma, Ariz., and Fort Knox, Ky.

On Sept. 1, 1950, Stuart wed Mary Moore, whom he had known since early childhood. Mary received a degree from San Jose State College and Kaiser Permanente to become a registered nurse and Stuart became a diesel mechanic for Caterpillar Tractor in Yuba City, Calif.

They soon started a family and had three children, daughter Janis and two sons, Bruce and Brian.

In the early 1950s, they moved back to Nevada County, Calif., where Stuart began what was to become a lifelong career in the logging industry. He started with his father in the family logging business. That start grew into a partnership, which became Clair Ivey and Son logging company, which conducted business throughout the mother-lode. He became a familiar figure with the many mills and logging companies in the area.

In 1978, Stuart and Mary moved to Mountain Home. Mountain Home soon became the Ivey's "home." They bought land and began growing alfalfa, which they sold as hay for horses. They fit into the community as Stuart respected people who shared his value for hard work and sustained use of the land and its resources. He was also a supporter of local industry.

Stuart was a member of the Mountain Home Optimist Club and enjoyed working with the members of that service organization.

Stuart loved to spend time hunting, fishing, exploring and working in the Pine, Featherville and Prairie areas above Anderson Dam Reservoir. More than anything Stuart loved being and doing things in the mountains whether, working, hunting or riding his horses. He began logging there and along the way worked on many projects, including building several of his own cabins so he could spend more time there.

He made a number of very close friends with whom he shared ventures, serving as mentor, partner, neighbor and friend.

Although, he did many things during his life, working with heavy equipment, hauling logs, mining, constructing roads, and structures, he enjoyed sharing this experience with friends. Whatever he did, he left an impression on the people he met.

If the measure of a man is determined by the quality of the friendship shown him by his friends during difficult times, Stuart was wealthy indeed. His family is grateful to all of Stu's friends for the kind thoughts, help, and dedication given him during his lengthy illness.

Stuart is survived by his wife, Mary, of Mountain Home, three children: daughter, Janis Lee of Etna, Calif.; son Bruce of Sacramento, Calif.; son Brian of Grass Valley, Calif.; five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and his eldest sister, Marjorie Ivey Chaney.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Bill and Clair, and sister Helen.

Memorial contributions can be made to The Parkinson's Disease Foundation, (1359 Broadway Suite 150, New York, NY, 10018) or St. Judešs Children's Research Hospital, (501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105), or any favorite charity.