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Jesse Outlar Obituary
Outlar, a native of Finleyson, Ga., died Saturday at his home in Peachtree City. Mowell Funeral Home, which is handling funeral arrangements, confirmed Outlar's death.
Outlar served in the Marine Corps during World War II, then became sports editor of the Waycross Journal-Herald. He later joined the Atlanta newspaper staff, where he retired in 1988.
During his career, Outlar covered the World Series, the Super Bowl and other major events.
In 1973, after leaving an Atlanta Falcons game, Outlar was shot in the stomach by a robber. He recovered and returned to work within two months.
He is survived by two daughters and a son.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press
Memories and Condolences
for Jesse Outlar
72 Entries
Sandy Westmoreland
October 21, 2023
Mr Outlar and Mr Bisher helped me learn how to read. I read the Constitution every morning; and, the Journal and the Griffin Daily News every afternoon!
MAXINE HARDY-HAMMOND
May 3, 2011
JAN AND BARRY I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT JESSE. MY DAD WAS A FIRST COUSIN TO YOUR GRANDMOTHER MISS LOIS, ALSO SHE WAS MY FIRST GRADE TEACHER AND ALSO TO ALL MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND OVER HALF OF OMEGA I WOULD IMAGINE. LAMAR ,AS HE WAS KNOWN BACK THEN WAS IN HI SCHOOL WHEN I WAS IN GRAMMER SCHOOL .NEARLY 8 YEARS MY SENIOR ,BUT WAS PART OF OUR BIG FAMILY OF KIN, WE LOST HIM TO THE BIG CITY AND COLLEGE AND THEN HE MADE THE FAMILY PROUD WITH HIS WRITINGS. MY DAD LOVED SPORTS AND WOULD KEEP A LOT OF JESSE'S WRITINGS. I FOUND OUT ABOUT HIS DEATH FROM ANOTHER COUSIN . SO SORRY TO HEAR THAT AS WE HAD JUST TALKED SOME LATELY, AND HE TOLD ME HE WAS JUST FINE. I REMEMBER YOU JAN AND BARRY, FROM YOUR GRANDMOTHER SHE WOULD PULL OUT ALL THOSE PICTURES ,AND SHE WAS SO PROUD OF HER FAMILY. MAY JESSE REST IN PEACE, HE WILL BE MISSED.
A. G.,
April 25, 2011
To the Family of Jesse Lamar Outlar,
I would like to give my condolences. What a wonderful legacy to treasure. May the way he treated others like never mind-spirited, spiteful or one-sided may these things always inspire you. As you face the days ahead, look for God for comfort. (2Cor. 1:3,4)
Fred Brown
April 22, 2011
I was a kid sportswriter at the Atlanta Journal back in the early 1960s. I was as green as they come. Jesse Outlar was always kind and quick with an encouraging word. I read Jesse religiously as well as Furman Bisher. They made me realize that sports writing could be something other than formula stuff. I learned from them all I could by reading them, the late Paul Hemphill and Ralph McGill. That is how good the Atlanta papers were back then. Jesse was at the head of the class. He was also a class act outside the office. I am very sad to learn of Jesse's passing. His kind comes along but once.
Steve Clark
April 19, 2011
Some of the most cherished memories I have from nearly 40 years of being an ink-stained newspaper writer are the experiences I had working for the two Atlanta papers in the late 1960s and early 1970s. I was a sports writer on Furman Bisher's Journal staff for three years (1965-68) and a sports writer on Jesse Outlar's Constitution staff for two years (1970-72). My favorite memory of Jesse is a telephone conversation he had one day with Clemson's legendary football coach, Frank Howard, who called to complain that sports writer Hal Hayes was quoting him the way he talked, which had nothing to do with The King's English. Howard said he did not care, but that some Clemson alumni were worried that it reflected poorly on the university. Jesse asked Howard what did he want him to do about it. Howard said: "Tell ol' Hayes, to jest quote me in reg-lar English from now on." Hal continued to quote Howard the way he talked. Jesse was a good boss and a good man. My sincerest condolences to Jesse's family.
April 18, 2011
i believe i remember mr. outlar and that he was a very good journalist,
Vernon Carne
April 18, 2011
As a news artist on the Constitution I had the pleasure of working with Jesse from the early '70s until his retirement. He was always a friendly, kind and gentle soul. It was an honor and a privilege to have known and worked with him all of those years.
C. G.
April 17, 2011
My deepest condolences to the Outlar family. The God of all comfort will soon end sickness and death. (Ps.146:5,9)
C. G.
April 17, 2011
May you find comfort and treasure the memories of your loved one. I send my sincere condolences. (Ro.15:4)
Barry Henderson
April 16, 2011
Jesse was a true gentleman.
J.D. Waldrep
April 16, 2011
One of the great gentlemen of the South indeed. It was always a pleasure reading Jesse's works. Now another of our AJC family is gone. My condolences to his family.
Allen Hauck
April 16, 2011
Back in 1964 when I was a 20-year-old college student, Jesse Outlar gave me my first job at the Constitution covering high school sports and eventually everything else. We had a 10-man department and the focus was on Tech, Georgia, the Crackers, preps, golf and NASCAR. We relied on the AP for everything else. Then came pro sports and things changed. The staff expanded every time a new team came to Atlanta -- Wayne Minshew for the Braves, Al Thomy for the Falcons and George Cunningham for the Hawks.
Every day was like a prison break but somehow we managed to put out three editions. If you weren’t out on assignment or busy writing you were on the sports rim editing stories, writing headlines and captions, designing pages or reading proofs. We did it all. Watching over all of this was Jesse, often bemused by our antics. If you did something wrong, he would call you over to his desk in the back corner of the sports department for a “discussion” and send you back into the fray, chastised and vowing to sin no more. Oh what great times!
Jesse was a good guy. Rest in peace, my friend.
Geline
April 16, 2011
My condolences to the family in your time of loss and know that God will comfort and strengthen you.
A.L. Powell
April 15, 2011
Rest in peace Mr. Outlar. My prayer to your family; celebrate his wonderful life and be comforted. I came here in 1970 and I found his columns in the AJC and became a fan. With many others, I felt a loss at his retirement...I feel even more so now.
April 15, 2011
To the family of Jesse Outlar, you have my deepest sympathy for the loss of your beloved one. Our heavenly Father is with you, and he will revive your spirit and crush heart-Isaiah 57:15. Erma L. Davis, Park Forest, IL.
Darrell SImmons
April 15, 2011
Condolences and prayers to the family. Jesse and I were friends for more than 50 years, most of that time working for opposition newspapers. He knew what readers wanted and gave that to them. He was ultimately fair in criticism. An outstanding writer and loyal friend, one of the best things i remember is a lady friend of mine saying, "Jesse is a true gentleman." Blessings.
Darrell Simmons, retired Atlanta Journal.
Gloria Gutierrez
April 15, 2011
Rest in peace Mr. Outlar! You were there for many people and we appreciate you!
romi
April 15, 2011
Dear Outlar Family,
May Jehovahs blessings be upon you to be strong and show an enduring spirit.
Katrina Hudson
April 15, 2011
We will miss you Mr. Outlar. Please tell Lewis Grizzard we have missed him for 20 years! Be good angels!
April 14, 2011
Jan,
Thinking of you and your family and sending prayers your way.
Fondest memories and warmest regards,
Toni (Akins) Estes
R Golay
April 14, 2011
To the the family of Jesse Outlar - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that Jesse will be missed by many.
April 14, 2011
May Jehovah the father of tender mercies, and the God of all comfort, comfort all of you in your time of great saddness.
JohnG. NC
M M
April 14, 2011
We are so sorry to hear about Jesse. What a talented man! It will be faith strengthen to see the thoughts of Revelation 21:3,4 unfold and we all look forward to that time.
Sherry Waldrop
April 14, 2011
Jan, I was so sorry to hear about your Dad. I so enjoyed our many summers together with your Grandmother (Mrs. Lois). Anyone that had Mrs. Lois, as a teacher, knew how proud she was of your Dad and how much she loved her two grandchildren. May the Lord bless you and keep you.
Sherry Hutchinson Waldrop Tifton (Omega) GA
bill clark
April 14, 2011
Jesse Outlar was a sports editor with an innate sense of fairness both for the folks he wrote about and the sports staffers he hired. I worked for several and clearly he was 'the champ'! --Bill Clark, Tennessee
AL THOMY
April 14, 2011
Special note to Jan and Barry:
As a friend of Jesse's, I watched you grow up and become productive citizens. Jan decided her future was in California and Barry did well after football at Athens. Me, I have a vision provblem snd am unable to make trip to Peachtree City, so I want to send my love, condolences and best wishes. I wanted to talk personally, but couldn't make phone contact. Jesse was proud of both of you. Take care.
Art Krueger
April 14, 2011
Journalists like Jesse Outlar don't come around that often and certainly far less these days. His wit, wisdom and commentary were valued by many, including this former Atlanta Constitution delivery boy. Condolonces go out to his family and friends.
bill fallaw
April 14, 2011
Barry and Family: So sorry for your loss. I remember Mr. Outlar well and Barry you will recall the time that he fooled me into telling him that you had gotten hurt playing tackle football with no pads!
What a great gentleman.
Barbara Harrison
April 14, 2011
Sorry to hear of your loss may the words found at Rev:21,3,4 be of comfort to you in your time of sorrow.
Al Thomy
April 14, 2011
After hearing the distressing news about Jesse, I got out his Christmas card of last December and once more read the words..."Wish we could huddle again at Vittorio's." As Archie would say, those were the days, my friend, the gathering of sportsmen and scribes and replaying games. Personally, I got more stories at
Vic's than at stadiums.It was the Toots Shors of the South. and, as for Jesse Outlar, my boss, he was a true friend and Southern gentleman. May God rest the souls of Jesse and Vittorio's Vic Inprecado.
Bill Thompson
April 14, 2011
Don't get the Atlanta newspapers in our area anymore. Probably just as well as most of the writers like Jesse Outlar are gone. He is a member of a vanishing breed that made newspapers popular. He was always a wonderful read. He has been and will be missed. Thanks Mr. Outlar for making my morning paper what it once was.
Leo Coughlin
April 14, 2011
Jesse was one of the great ones and I count myself fortunate to have known him when I was a young ball writer. What a wonderful example he was as a writer and a man.
tom mains jr
April 14, 2011
jesseoutlar was one of the great names in sports reporting.he certainly will be misssed in every sense of the word.all too many good people are leaving this old world may the supreme being or whatever we call god comfort jesse..and his family..tom mains in ky.
Pam (Petty) Terry
April 14, 2011
Jan & Barry, I am so sorry to read this! Tho' it has been many years since I've seen you, I think of all of you often. I will never forget your family's kindness to me during my Mom's death in 1961. This being the anniversary of her passing, I've thought about you so much during the past few days.
My prayer is that you will be surrounded with God's loving peace. Know that you are not alone.
April 14, 2011
dear
Davan Mani
April 14, 2011
Thanks for teaching me how to read and think.
Holman huff
April 13, 2011
GOD BLESS.
Laura Marchant Kast
April 13, 2011
Jesse Lamar Outlar will be missed by all. I have fond memories of him and the family that began in Omega,when we would visit his mom.His mom was my Great Aunt.Jesse and my mom are cousins and they kept in touch with each other through Christmas and birthday cards each year.Family know that he was well loved and respected by all, and be thankful for the memories and cherish them always. God bless you all.
Jackie
April 13, 2011
MY sincere condolences to the Outlar family. May the God of comfort keep you at this time. 2Cor.1:3-5
mike hill
April 13, 2011
he was one of the best you will be greatly miss
Mike Luck
April 13, 2011
My dad would save the AJC sports sections for me every night when I was a young fellow and I would soak in every word and often save them in stacks for months myself. Years later I found myself in the fortunate situation of working at the AJC with icons like Jesse Outlar and Furman Bisher and others who made the newspaper great and made the profession noble.
I learned a great deal from them, and I am extremely appreciative to have been exposed to their wisdom. But I am even more appreciative of how well they treated me and that they gave me their friendship.
Jesse was a true gentleman, I can still see him in his office typing away. I can see him walk out through the door with his glasses in hand and stop and greet his co-workers just like they were his neighbors, all on a first-name basis, always taking the time to chat. Same thing whenever he was at an event and called into the office.
With Jesse, you always felt like you were interacting with a friend, not an AJC legend.
God bless Jesse Outlar. Prayers are headed toward his family.
ronnie turner
April 13, 2011
you going to be greatly missed thank for many memor ies
A O
April 13, 2011
To The Outlar Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers and thoughts go out to you.
May the God of Comfort be with you and your family during these trying days and nights.
Dick Bestwick
April 13, 2011
In a city of outstanding Sports writers, Jesse Outlar and Furman Bisher were at the head of the class. Regardless of their opinions, you always knew they would be fair and to the point. Jesse will be missed.
Fred Murphy
April 13, 2011
A sporting event was not complete until you read about it in the paper the next day. And it wasn't complete until you read Outlar's column. He was one of the best and I am glad I got to read him for a long time.
Don Davis
April 13, 2011
Thanks for the many memories; you will be greatly missed.
Doug Jones
April 13, 2011
In the 50s growing up in Chattanooga we would go to the drug store before church and my parents bought the AJC and I would grab the sports page and read Jesse Outlar and Furman Bisher.
When I moved to Atlanta in 72 I continued to be a fan of Jesse and Furman.
As a University of Tennessee fan I always thought they gave us fair and objective coverage.
RIP Jesse!
EDWARD VINSON
April 13, 2011
Though he was such a blatant dawg fan; I used to read Jesse's columns daily in the AC; always thought of him and Furman as the ying and yang of Atlanta sports.
Kathy Shields
April 13, 2011
Jesse you will be greatly missed!
John Reid
April 13, 2011
I grew up reading Mr. Outlar's columns in the Atlanta paper. For a kid in a small south GA town, he was one of my insights into the world of sports.
April 13, 2011
Thanks for the many many memories.
WIlliam Whiddon
April 13, 2011
RIP Mr. Outlar. You were the best. I couldn't wait to get the paper to read your sports reports....May God Bless your family till we all meet again.
Wayne Minshew
April 13, 2011
Jesse Outlar was my sports editor and mentor for 12 years at The Atlanta Consitution. He was firm but understanding and always fair. We shared a first love, baseball, and deep feelings for the University of Georgia. During the days when football game stories were lengthy and jumped to inside pages, nobody wrote them better than Jesse, lead graf to finish. He made a difference in my career and in my life. I miss him very much.
Doyle Albea
April 13, 2011
Every day, as a teen, I began my morning by reading the Constitution and Mr. Outlar's columns was always a must read. I have dearly missed him since his retirement and my sympathy, heart, and prayers go out to his family. But please know how much enjoyment he brought to this now old mans heart!
Bruce Jennings
April 13, 2011
You had the unique ability to find the words to capture wonderful moments in sports and always looked to the positive in our society. My Thankgiving list would include being thankful that you were a part of my life through your writting, influenced me as a child and we grew old together. You are loved and will never be forgotten. I could only imagine that you could have found the right words to capture the moment at this years Masters. To your family, he passed and left you with a lot of great momeries. Thank you Jesse Lamar Outlar, you made a difference.
Bill Wilson
April 13, 2011
A good part of my learning to read was your recaps of Atlanta Cracker games. What a great talent you shared with all of us Atlanta natives over the years. We will miss you.
Ron Hudspeth
April 13, 2011
The day in 1973 Jesse was shot in the stadium parking lot, I sat by him in the press box. We had chatted throughout a Falcons' loss to the 49ers. He was known among his peers as a good guy. What better can be said of a person. Another Atlanta icon is gone.
Roland Daniel
April 13, 2011
Dear Family, What a fine writer, revered by many across the state and region! We outside of Atlanta turned to him first for our fix of sports news in the big city paper. God bless all of you always.
Rich Tate
April 13, 2011
I grew up reading the work of Furman Bisher and Jesse Outlar. They made me aspire to be a more creative writer. I'd like to say Jesse will be missed, but he has been missed by me for many years already.
harry fitch
April 13, 2011
I met and chatted with Jesse at the PTC Publix a few years ago. A former sportswriter myself, we found out that we had a few shared acquaintances in the field and spent our time remembering them fondly. Jesse was a true gentleman and a credit to the profession. I'm just sorry we did not stay in touch.
Dale Childs
April 13, 2011
I grew up in Rome reading and respecting Mr. Outlar and Furman Bisher. In my family sports were life and Mr. Outlar was the best at what he did.
Pam Foreback
April 13, 2011
May memories comfort you of a well lived life. Thinking of you all. The Foreback's
Stephen Graham
April 13, 2011
I worked with Jesse for four years at the AJC. He was a super nice man who truly loved what he did and proved an inspiration to a young reporter. We'll miss you Jesse.
Dick Whitfield
April 13, 2011
As a native Atlantan, I always enjoyed reading Jesse Outlar, from 1954 until he retired... An Old Lion of sports reporting. I have missed his columns for many years. Best to his family !
Frank Harrell
April 12, 2011
I loved reading the Atlanta papers. Headed first to either Bisher or Outlar columns, then to the stories. Godspeed Mr. Outlar. Thanks for the great columns.
HERBERT & JOSIE GALLOWAY
April 12, 2011
WE WILL MISS CHATING WITH YOU AT OUR MAIL BOXES.
Michael Meatheringham
April 12, 2011
A great talent, exceeded by only his kindness and graciousness. Thoughtful, and never too busy to offer both suggestions and encouragement to anyone and at anytime. Not only a sportswriter, but a sports journalist.
A vanishing breed...and he was one of the best!
Ron Tallon
April 12, 2011
Jesse was a truly great columnist. When I was a little kid (now I am 62!) I used to read Jesse and Furman Bisher every day. I loved both of them and they made the Sports section what it was. Jesse is missed greatly. He was First Class! RIP, Sir.
Tracy Molony
April 12, 2011
We love you Jesse! We'll miss you.
Give Nanny a kiss from us.
Love,
Tracy, Brian, Anslee, Lawson, and Brennen
David Barrett
April 12, 2011
Jesse was one of my favorites..Besides being a great writer, I was a big fan of the old roundtable on channel 2..Jesse,Furman,Jim Minter and Harry Mehre were the precursors of the Sunday talk show..Used to run into Jesse in Peachtree City occasionally and he was always a gentleman.They don't make like him anymore!
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