Robert Otis Stuart, Sr., 88 of LaPlata, MD, departed this life on Friday, April 6, in his home after a long and courageous battle with colon cancer. Born January 22, 1919, he was the seventh of eleven children of the late, John Henry & the late Mary Ellen Stuart of Floyd, VA.

He was baptized at an early age at Shady Grove Baptist Church, Indian Valley, VA. After completing High School, he started working in the coal mines of West Virginia. He later served in the U.S. Navy Reserve and was honorably discharged in 1943

Affectionately known as ?Mr. Stuart?, ?Mr. Otis?, or ?Pop Otis,? he possessed multiple talents as an auto mechanic and heavy-equipment operator in Virginia, Maryland, and DC for over 63 years. As a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 77 in Washington, DC, Mr. Stuart became an integral part of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) subway construction project. It was a career he loved until his retirement in 1979. His other passions were auto mechanics and welding. Mr. Otis performed bumper-to-bumper repairs on everything with or without an engine. He was easily recognized behind the wheel of his ?one-of-a-kind? tow truck throughout the community. Mr. Otis continued working in his garage until his health began to fail three months ago. He has passed this legacy on to his sons and grandsons.
Mr. Stuart is preceded in death by his first wife, Gertrude and their beloved son, Michael. He was also preceded in death by four sisters: Gracie, Essie, Mae and Augustus; and five brothers: Lee, Samuel, Roy, Matthew and Clevie. He has one surviving brother, Archie (Virginia) Stewart of Boones Mill, VA, and daughter-in-law, Gladys Stuart of Waldorf. From his union with Gertrude of 15 years, he is survived by: Bonnie (George) Beckett of Roanoke, VA.; Camille (Dewey) Helms, of St. Charles, MO; Barry (Trois) Stuart of Annandale, VA; and Joseph Stuart of Maryland.

In September 1959, Mr. Stuart married his second wife, Connie Price. From their union of 47 years, they were blessed with seven children: Francine Stuart ?Puddin? of Indian Head, Danny (Bernadette) Stuart of LaPlata; Samuel ?Sambo? Stuart of Waldorf; Inez ?Net? Stuart of Waldorf; Jamie ?Jane? (George) Thomas of Waldorf; Otis ?Cheek? Stuart, Jr. of LaPlata; Brian ?Brunt? (Christine) Stuart of Waldorf.

A long-lost and caring nephew, Raymond (Phyllis) Stewart of Edenton, NC; 26+ grandchildren, 9+ great-grandchildren, a host of loving nieces, nephews and devoted friends also survived Mr. Stuart.

His Viewing will be held on Friday, April 13, 2007 from 9:00 am until time of Service 12 noon at Thornton Funeral Home Chapel, 3439 Livingston Road, (Route #227, Pomonkey) Indian Head, Maryland. His Interment will be in Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, Maryland.