J. Barry Stout

1936 - 2016

Senator J. Barry Stout, 79, of Bentleyville, died Saturday evening, Oct. 29, 2016, at his home. A lifelong resident of Washington County, he was born Nov. 7, 1936, in Fargo, to the late William B. and Mary Watkins Stout. He grew up in East Finley Township and Somerset Township. Senator Stout graduated from Bentleyville High School in 1955 and was president of his class for four years. He married his high school sweetheart, Lenore Thompson, in 1959. As a young man, Senator Stout served as secretary of the Bentleyville Carmel Park contest committee and was a member of the Bentleyville Library Board. He attended Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, graduating as class president and valedictorian in 1958. He worked full time for his father-in-law at Kenneth V. Thompson Funeral Home in Bentleyville, while serving in the Army Reserves and attending Washington and Jefferson College. He graduated from Washington & Jefferson College in 1964. His love of transportation began at an early age, working for his family business, Atlas Railroad Construction Company, along-side his father and brothers. He never forgot the hard work and valuable lessons learned on the railroad. Over the years, Senator Stout joined his brother Philip and nephew, Steven, to broaden the business into site work. The new firms, Stout Group, Atlas Services Corporation and Marta Track Constructors, were involved in railroads as well as land development for shopping malls and real estate throughout Western Pennsylvania. An active Democrat, Barry's first foray into county politics was in 1963 when he worked in favor of the referendum that would bring the Meadows Racetrack to Washington County. His political mentor, Congressman Thomas E. Morgan, encouraged him to pursue a career in public service. Senator Stout was elected to the General Assembly in 1970 and served 40 years until his retirement in 2010. During his tenure, he was chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee and a member of the Senate Appropriations, Environmental Resources and Energy, and Policy Committees. While in office, his goals were to create transportation initiatives in Western Pennsylvania, promote economic development and job creation, and give the youth of this area enhanced educational opportunities. He was instrumental in the development of Southpointe, Starpointe and Alta Vista. Southpointe has been recognized as one of the outstanding business parks in Pennsylvania. Senator Stout sponsored the legislation that transferred the former Western Center site to Washington County under terms and conditions that were very beneficial for his home county. He was instrumental in ensuring that access to Southpointe was convenient when he pushed for the new Southpointe interchange off of Interstate 79. He felt that the greatest accomplishment of his political career was the Mon Fayette Expressway and Southern Beltway where, as he says, there wasn't a foot of concrete on those highways when they started and now there is almost 60 miles of roadway. His hope was that having this transportation corridor from West Virginia to the Pittsburgh area would help young people have access to a broader range of career opportunities. A portion of the Mon Fayette Expressway, renamed the J. Barry Stout Expressway, recognized his leadership role in bringing this project to fruition. Other awards include 2015 Washington County Historical Society Hall of Fame Inductee, 2010 Washington County Community Foundation Philanthropist of the Year, Constructors Association Man of the Year Award, Transportation Advocate of the Year, MIDA Chuck Chattaway Award and Keystone Railroad Association Legislator of the Year. The American Society of Highway Engineers Robert E. Pearson Person of the Year Award, United Labor Committee of Washington County Man of the Year, Washington and Jefferson College Honorary Doctor of Laws and Distinguished Service Award. Senator Stout was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Bentleyville, Sons of the American Revolution, Bentleyville American Legion Post 165, Beallsville Lodge No. 237, Free and Accepted Masons, Scottish Rite Valley of Pittsburgh, Syria Shrine A.A.O.N.M.S. He was raised to 33rd degree Mason in Chicago in 2006. Following his retirement, Senator Stout served as a member and chairman of Washington County Redevelopment Authority. He served on the board for Washington County Food Bank, was fundraising chairman for Bentleyville Bicentennial Committee and member of Bentleyville Area Historical Society. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his five daughters, Lisa Stout-Bashioum (Robert Bashioum), Lori Jansante (Dion Jansante), Sharee Stout (G. Douglas Davidson), Shannon Hemmingson (Brian Hemmingson) and Bethany Stout (Thomas Jenkins), and one son, John Stout (Jodi Gagliardi-Stout); 15 grandchildren, Jonathan, Joshua, Brynne, Samuel, William and Benjamin Bashioum, Derek and Jason Jansante, Ayli and Fia Davidson, Jacob and Eli Hemmingson, Noah Stock and Tiernan and Rhys Jenkins; brothers, William (Saundra) and Gary (Donna); sister, Cindy Carmella (Ron); brother-in-law, James Rupert; sister-in-law, Betty Stout; and several nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death in addition to his parents were his brothers, T. Philip Stout and James A. Stout, and his sister, Jane S. Rupert. Senator Stout's family suggests that contributions in his memory can be made to the J. Barry Stout Charitable Fund of Washington County Community Foundation, PO Box 308, Eighty Four, PA15330; Bentworth Community Center Building Project, 931 Main St., Bentleyville, PA15314; Bentleyville First Presbyterian Church of Bentleyville, 812 Main St., Bentleyville, PA15314, or a charity of your choice.
Friends are welcome from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the THOMPSON-MARODI FUNERAL HOME INC., 809 Main St., Bentleyville, 724-239-2255. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4, 2016, at the First Presbyterian Church, 812 Main St., Bentleyville, with the Rev. Andy Scott, officiating. Interment will follow in Washington Cemetery with graveside military rites by the American Legion Post 165, Bentleyville. The Free and Accepted Masons Lodge 237 of Beallsville with hold a service at 8 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home.
Visit www.thompson-marodi.com. to leave a condolence message, order flowers and share photos.