Albert Sumner Stout Jr.

Albert Sumner Stout's life journey began Sept. 9, 1941 in Rowan County. He was one of three children born to the late Albert Sumner and Mildred Hall Stout. He departed this life on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center. Albert's family always stressed that we have been put on this earth for a positive purpose. It is up to us to find that purpose, develop it to the best of our ability and make a positive contribution to society. Albert attended the former Dunbar High School in East Spencer, and graduated from the former Price High School in Salisbury. In 1969, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Livingstone College in Salisbury. As a trailblazer, he was the first African-American to be hired as a road deputy for the Rowan County Sheriff's Department from 1969-1972. During his employment as a deputy, he realized that law enforcement was his preferred career. He continued law enforcement training by attending workshops, seminars and conferences that would enhance his skills as a deputy. In 1972, he was appointed and accepted the invitation to attend the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Academy and became a Special Agent for the State of North Carolina from 1972-1993. He was certified by the following schools: National Training Center of Polygraph Science in NY, the first African-American in North Carolina to complete this course; Interview and Interrogation National training Center; Police Combat and Fire Arm Instructor School, Camp LeJeune; General Instructor - Basic Criminal Justice System, Raleigh; Financial Crimes, Raleigh; and Administrative Officers Management, North Carolina State University. The positions that he held as a Special Agent were as follows: Criminal Specialist; member of the Violent Crime Federal Task Force; Interdiction Task Force, Douglas International Airport, Charlotte; and the Jamaican, Guianese, Puerto Rican Federal Task Force. After retiring from the NC State Bureau of Investigation, he became a Liaison Officer for the Police/Security Department at Livingstone College from 1994-2006. Some of the awards and recognitions he received were Bravery and Courage in the Line of Duty, US Dept. of Justice, 1975; Honorary Graduate of Drug Investigation DEA, US Dept. of Justice, Quantico, VA, 1975; Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award, Salisbury, 1976; NC Legionnaire of the Year, Asheville, 1977; Evening Optimist Humanitarian Award, Greensboro, 1977; North State Law Enforcement Officer Organization Officer of the Year, 1993; Community Leadership Achievement Award, Livingstone College, 1993; NC Order of the Long Leaf Pine, Governor of NC, 1993; and Livingstone College Leaders Hall of Fame Award, 2011. Stout held membership in the following social, civic and fraternal organizations: Houses of Prince Hall Affiliate - western Star Lodge #9, M.H. Perkins #81 Holy Royal Arch Mason, Joseph P. Evans Consistory #280 and Pearl White Chapter #180 Order of the Eastern Star; first African American to become a Life Member of the Rowan County Peace Officers Association and the Society of Former SBI Agents; Life Member of the North State Law Enforcement Officers Association; J.C. Price American Legion Post; Local and National Livingstone College Alumni Association; Crusaders Men's Club; a supporter of the NAACP; Dragon and Dragonets Social Club; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Humanitarian Award, Salisbury; and has participated in events presented by the Piedmont Players. He was also a Past Commissioner of the NC Department of Justice - Training Standards and Education; former member and Chairman of the City of Salisbury Advisory Board for the Parks and Recreation Dept. and a former member of the City of Salisbury Planning Board. His hobbies were listening to and singing a variety of music, hunting, cooking and reading. In 1967, Albert received an Honorable Discharge from the United States Army. He was a life-long member of New Hope African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Spencer, where he was a member of the choir and the “official grill master” for the church's community cookouts. Albert is survived by daughters, Tina and Delores Stout of Salisbury; son, Albert Stout III of Tampa, Fla.; sister, Sarah Lightner of Salisbury; niece, Maria Ormond of Winston-Salem; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. His extended family: brothers, Albert Fairley, Cal Smith (Dorothy); sister Zollie Sullivan and many cousins and friends. Visitation and Service: The family will receive friends 12-1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 28, 2016, at New Hope A.M.E. Zion Church, 1470 N. Long St. Ext., Salisbury. The service will follow at 1:30 p.m., officiated by Rev. Dr. Debra J. Hall, host pastor. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to New Hope A.M.E. Zion Church, Capital Campaign, in Memory of Albert S. Stout Jr., P.O. Box 274, Spencer, NC 28159. A special “thank you” is extended to the staff of Novant Health Rowan Medical Center and the Salisbury-Rowan Emergency Services for their professional assistance in our time of need. Hairston Funeral Home is assisting the Stout family. Online condolences may be made at www.hairstonfh.com.