Louis Dwight Stout

1927 - 2018

Louis Dwight Stout was born to Tom and Orilla Stout on the Rufus Kelley Stout homestead, 25 miles north of Mooreland, Okla. on Aug. 15, 1927.

He was the fourth son born to the Stouts, followed by two younger sisters.

The household was frequently extended to other people working for Tom on the farm or local children completing school.

Louis began his education at Sunny Slope Primary School, located one mile west and 1.5 miles south of the Stout homestead. Most of the time, the four boys rode two horses to school.

For a short time in 8th grade, Louis rode a bicycle pulled by a horse that was being ridden by his two younger sisters.

Louis attended Freedom High School, where he played basketball and baseball.

At the age of 16, he was hired to drive the 'school bus', which was a half-ton panel van with benches down the middle and sides, seating up to 21 kids.

Louis enlisted in the US Army in 1946 after graduating high school. He began basic training in Fort Bragg, N.C. on Oct. 4, 1946.

In December 1946, he was sent on a ship to Japan. It was a rough trip. They spent four days in the middle of a typhoon, and only had one hour of Christmas because they crossed the International Date Line at one o'clock in the morning.

Shortly after arriving in Japan, the draft was discontinued and all the draftees were sent home, Louis had to stay because he had enlisted.

While in Japan, Louis' primary assignment was driving a jeep for Captain Boyle, the Ration Supply Officer. This assignment allowed Louis time to listen to music while waiting for the captain, as well as going duck hunting in the jeep when it wasn't in use by the captain.

After serving for 15 months in the Army, Louis was honorably discharged Feb. 10, 1948 from Fort Lewis, Wash.

While in high school Louis began courting Fern Loomis. They enjoyed going for drives and sat together at many ballgames. Fern was 2 years younger than Louis, so he wrote to her during his deployment with the Army.

Louis' mother did not get many letters, so she had to find Fern to get any news of Louis during that time.

When he returned home, he found Fern looking for a letter at her mailbox 1/2 mile from home. He proceeded to kick his Army buddy Monroe and brother Wilbur out of the pickup so he could give her a ride home.

Louis and Fern were married on Sept. 25, 1948. The wedding was a double ceremony, performed in the Stout family living room, alongside Dick and Phyllis (Stout) Crissup.

Louis and Fern lived for 10 years at the Stout homestead, farming the land and starting their family. Three children were born to Louis and Fern during this time: Cheryl, Darryl, and Gail.

In 1959, after two bumper years of wheat harvest in Oklahoma, they were able to strike out on their own, purchasing 880 acres from Lester Jacobson, four miles north of Burlington.

Louis and Fern moved to town in 1976, but continued to farm until 1990 when they sold the farm equipment and began leasing out the land.

Louis has always had a love for music and wanted to play guitar. After retiring from farming, Louis finally had time to take guitar lessons after which he began playing and singing with friends and family.

He and Fern enjoyed traveling and often spent winters in warmer climates.

He continued to be active in the community, hauling grain for other farmers, driving school buses, and volunteering at the Colorado Welcome Center.

He was dedicated to his church family at First Baptist Church, serving as a deacon since 1971.

Louis passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018.

Louis was preceded in death by his wife Fern, parents Tom and Orilla Stout, brothers Ronald, J Alan, and Wilbur Stout, sister Phyllis Crissup, and son Darryl Stout.

He is survived by sister Ramona (Don) Dauphin, daughter Cheryl (Harold) Naughton, son Gail (Frances) Stout, eight grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at First Baptist Church in Burlington on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018.

Interment service was held at Fairview Cemetery, Burlington, immediately following.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Brown Funeral Home in Burlington.

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