July 6, 1945-Sept. 1, 2021
. Stuart William Akers passed away at his home in Gilroy, CA, early on September 1, 2021, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born on July 6, 1945, in Sentinel, OK, to William F. Akers and Nettie Holt Akers. He grew up in Cordell, OK, and graduated from high school in 1963. He attended the University of Oklahoma for his Bachelor of Science degree then went to North Carolina State University where he earned his Masters’ degree. He married Carolyn Pruett in December of 1970 and they celebrated 50 years together last December. Following his service in the Army with a tour in Vietnam, he returned to NCSU and received his PhD in Botany and Plant Physiology in 1975. Stuart went to Purdue University in Indiana for post-doctoral work, then accepted a teaching position at Oklahoma State University.
In 1987 he moved to Gilroy, CA, where he became the lead research scientist for Asgrow, an international seed company. He made significant contributions throughout his career including an experiment on the Space Shuttle, helping develop the seedless watermelon, and developing the process to increase the germination rate of lettuce using less seed. He retired in 2013 after 26 years with the company.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Stuart is survived by his wife, Carolyn and his two children, Jon and his wife, Becca and their son Owen of Clovis, CA; his daughter Susan and her husband, Max Zimmershead and their four children Melise, Alena, Odin, and Ozzy of Clovis, CA.
In addition to his immediate family, Stuart was survived by his brother Gib and wife Sharon, his sister Sally Akers Meredith and husband Jim, as well as many nieces and nephews and their families. He was a gentle, loving man who had a deep appreciation for life and nature. His memory will be cherished by so many. A memorial to celebrate his life is being planned and will be held in Cordell.