Stuart Albert Baze, known to all his friends and family as “Stu”, of Blue Ridge, formerly of Midland, Texas, passed away January 4, 2021, at the age of 49. He was born June 7, 1971, in Midland to the late Lloyd Preston and Linda Wallace Baze. He is a retired Chief Warrant Officer -3 of the United States Army and a decorated Black Hawk pilot who spent time in Iraq and Afghanistan. Stu joined the Med-Trans and Life Force team in 2011 after retiring from the U.S. Army where he became the Base Aviation Manager in Blue Ridge. He was known for his infectious personality, laughter and his amazing smile. He was loved and extremely respected by all the pilots and crews at Life Force.
Stu’s passions in life were his family, friends and flying. He loved days on the lake with his family as well as working on cars with his sons, spending quality time with his daughters and enjoying outdoor activities with his fiancée and dogs.
Survivors include his fiancée, Janice Lynn Labbe; children, Stephanie Alexis Baze, Preston Alexander Baze, Bradley Marshall and wife Bronte Lorraine Baze, Shelby Brooke Baze; mother and step-father, Linda Lucile Deaver and Charles Steven Deaver; sister and brother-in-law, Tamara Anne and Jamie Reyes; brother and sister-in-law, Cal Damon and Lacey Marie Baze; step brother and his wife, Shane and Julie Deaver; nieces and nephews, Peyton Lane Pettit, Austin James Reyes, Hailey Alexis Baze and Garett Lane Davis.
Funeral services were conducted Monday, January 11, 2021, at 12 p.m. from the Akins Funeral Home Chapel with Min. Brian Ceraolo officiating. Interment followed in the Georgia National Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Army. Bradley and Preston Baze served as pallbearers. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund at cfsrf.org.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinsfuneralhome.com.
Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge was in charge of the arrangements.