In Memoriam: Stuart Palmer Syverson

Stuart P. Syverson, 85, of Cornelius passed away peacefully on September 12, 2026, with loved ones by his side. Stu was born in Brockton, Massachusetts on May 8, 1941, and raised in Rumford, R.I. by the late P. Roland Syverson and Ruth Palmer Syverson. Along with his parents, Stu was preceded in death by his sister-in-law Joy Syverson and his nephew Major Paul R. Syverson III.

Stu is survived by his loving wife, Gilda Morina Syverson, of 49 years; his brother, Paul Roland Syverson of Lake Zurich, Illinois; and several cousins, Kurt (Paula) Rosengren, Janet Kennedy, Joan (Gary) Haskell. He is also survived by his loving Morina in-law family Nicki (the late Ed), Anthony (Sally), Francine (Jim), Teresa (James), Gerard (Lisa), Jo Anne (Tim), Bridget (Mike), Ann Marie, and his 21 nieces and nephews, along with his numerous great-nieces and great-nephews and many cousins – who all loved the antics and humor of (Uncle) Stu.

After receiving a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Arts and two Masters’ Degrees in Recreation & Administration, Stu started his career as an Architectural Design and Industrial Arts teacher in Newton, Massachusetts, until he made his avocation his vocation. He purchased Karting Sales in Abington, Massachusetts and then moved to St. Louis to run Margay Racing Karts. After three years, Stu returned to the east coast and Charlotte, where he founded Trick Karts. In 1995, Stu was inducted into the WKA Go-Kart Hall of Fame.

Stu was creative and social. He designed and built several of the houses he and Gilda lived in, rebuilt Corvettes, and even worked on a VW in his garage. Stu loved attending races with lifelong friends, and he and Gilda hosted an annual Super Bowl party for many years. He enjoyed traveling, plays and musical programs and loved staying active, attending Qigong and Senior HIIT classes with Gilda up until the last few months of his life. He will always be remembered for the joy and laughter he brought to any occasion.

A visitation will be held on Friday, October 2, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. followed by a memorial service at Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home, 16901 Old Statesville Road, Huntersville.

Much gratitude to Dr. Ryan Corbello, Dr. Andrea Diedrich, The Guide Program, and to the loving and kind Hospice workers who graced our home with care, along with those at the S. Mitchell Mack Hospice House in Mooresville.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, N.C. 28625