Stuart Kendrick, age 51, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at home on the morning of December 17, 2024. As a lifelong resident of Knoxville, Stuart attended Sequoyah Elementary School, Webb School of Knoxville and graduated high school from Riverside Military Academy where he was a member of the football team. He then attended Pellissippi State Community College before beginning his career at the storied Orangery restaurant.

Patrons and friends of The Orangery will fondly remember Stuart as a handsome, larger-than-life character who could tell a great story, gossip with the best of them and entertain a room full of discerning guests. Those who met Stuart were sure to remember him. One of his more notable antics was to park his huge motorcycle in the Orangery courtyard much to the delight of customers and to the horror of his mother, Karen.

In addition to his charismatic personality, Stuart is still remembered for his vast knowledge of wines and his superb palate. He created a Wine Spectator award winning wine list, always researching and bringing the best available to the wine cellar and expanding Knoxville's appreciation of fine wines.

Stuart's attention to detail extended to everyday situations beyond the wine cellar. Lee Ann, his longtime love, recalls him making sure he returned any item to the right place in the grocery store if she happened to replace it incorrectly.

Following in the footsteps of his beloved grandfather, Kristopher Kendrick, Stuart became a real estate broker in the Commercial Division of Wallace Real Estate. Once again he brought his gift for story telling to a different audience and many new and treasured friends.

Stuart's favorite pastimes included Windrock Park off-road dirt biking, motorcycle racing, cooking for holiday gatherings, snow skiing and family vacations on Pawleys Island.

He was preceded in death by beloved grandparents, Kristopher Kendrick and Marlene King Kendrick, great grand parents Georgia Kendrick and Harold Hutchins, uncle Kristopher Alan Kendrick, aunt Valery Kendrick and Aidan Lemons.

Stuart is survived by the love of his life, Lee Ann Garland, his mother Karen Kendrick (Chuck Pilgrim), uncle Kent Kendrick (Nancy Kendrick), Cleveland Kendrick; cousins Artie Kendrick, Lily Kendrick-Derivan, Kristel Cannon, Lori Jewitt, and Kristopher Kendrick. Other family members include Parker Wright, Lloyd Wright, Morgan Wright, Ellie Wright, Jane Kendrick, Suzan Eraslan, Katie Pilgrim and his beloved dog, Max.

In lieu of flowers and because Stuart deeply loved and cared for animals, he would have appreciated donations made in his honor to Young-Williams Animal Center.

A private family service will be held on December 27, 2024 in the chapel at St. John's Episcopal Cathedral. There will be a celebration of life at Bistro By The Tracks (Formerly The Orangery) in the ballroom for friends on December 28 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rosefuneraltn.com