Barrow Stewart Fleetwood

Barrow Stewart Fleetwood, affectionately known to everyone as “Stu,” unexpectedly crossed the finish line of a life well lived on October 27, 2026, at Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton, Florida.

Stu’s story began on August 8, 1943, in Gadsden, Alabama, when he made his grand entrance as the second twin born to the late Barrow Tilson Fleetwood and Madeleine Young.

Being a twin just meant he had a partner in crime his entire childhood, where stories always began with "Now, let me tell you about those Fleetwood twins." He had a lifelong bond with his surviving twin brother, Dr. Stephen Fleetwood (Millie) of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. Stephen and his family weren't just relatives to Stu; they were an extension of his own soul.

Stu grew up all around the North Carolina area, graduating from Southwood High School in Kinston, NC, in 1961. Then, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a minor in Chemistry from Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, NC, before proudly serving his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

Upon returning in 1968, Stu took a job teaching high school math at Bayshore High School in Bradenton, where his family kept a winter home. It took exactly one year for him to do the "math" and realize that a room full of high schoolers was not his true calling. He quickly pivoted to pharmaceutical sales, spending the next dozen or so years successfully charming doctors across multiple states. Eventually, the Florida sunshine called him back to Bradenton for good, where Stu ultimately retired as a Quality Improvement Manager for Tropicana—proving he always knew how to find the sweet spot in life.

Stu was a man dedicated to the pursuit of higher education and reaching one's full potential, but he didn't take life too seriously. He was defined by his extreme friendliness, an infectious sense of humor, and a unique ability to look at tough situations in a completely different light. He loved to travel, especially to the Florida Keys, where he regularly dragged a rotating cast of family and friends to share in the paradise. On weekends, if he wasn't traveling, you could find him indulging his obsession with anything fast, sporty, and packed with new technology. Many weekends, Stu anchored himself in front of NASCAR, Formula One, IndyCar and College Football.

Stu is now reunited with his beloved wife of 46 years, Patricia Askew, who passed away on September 13, 2025. His son-in-law, Audie Stern, also preceeds him in death.

His legacy of laughter, intelligence, and love lives on through his children: Deanna Hughes (Norm) of Broken Arrow, OK; Barrow Fleetwood II of North Port, FL; and Kimberley Stern of Palmetto, FL. He is also survived by his stepsons, Jeff Albritton of Palmetto, FL, and Randy Albritton (Joyce) of Sarasota, FL.

Between the five children, Stu leaves behind 11 grandchildren: Matthew, Sydney, Bryan, Savannah, Cody A., Kristen, Marcus, Aaron, Cody Jay, Jennifer, and Jessie, alongside a wonderful handful of step-great and great-great-grandchildren.

Though he just missed her arrival, Stu was extremely excited to meet his new biological great-granddaughter, who is due to arrive shortly after the new year.

Family and friends are invited to swap stories, laugh, and toast to a wonderful man at a Celebration of Life on Sunday, November 15th, between 2 to 4pm at the home of Bunny Askew 612 59th ST NW, Bradenton, FL.

Stu’s final journey will take him back to his roots where services and interment will take place at the Young Family Cemetery in Mars Hill, North Carolina. He will be deeply missed by so many extensive family members and friends. However, every time a fast car drives by or a bad joke is told, we will always remember him.