John W. Stout

At John's request, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.

John Stout passed away February 7, 2007, in Miles City, Montana, following a short illness. He was born August 2, 1913, to William Andrew and Sarah Rhea Fry Stout, in his grandmothers house, an old Victorian, located on what became the back lot of Fox Studios in Hollywood, California. He was a brother among sisters (Elizabeth, Lois, and Lillian) as his only brother, Robert passed away as a young child. His mother died when he was in his teens. John put himself through school at the University of California, Berkeley, graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering. He served in the Navy during World War II, and, while working at the Joshua Hendy Ironworks, met Vida Volkhardt, an electrical engineer, whom he married in 1942. Following his service in the Navy, he worked as a petroleum engineer in Taft, California. Over time, his work for Chevron took him to Huntington Beach, Alaska, and finally San Francisco. Vida passed away in 1986. Six years later he married Elaine Johnson Noyes, and after a time they moved from San Rafael, CA, to San Antonio, Texas, to be nearer her family. Elaine passed away in August of 2006, and, at that time, he moved north to Montana, living first with his daughter, and then, later, moving to Eagles Manor in Miles City.

John married artists and encouraged them to pursue their creative endeavors. His travels took him not only to Alaska (where he lived and worked, during one stint, for over a year on the moose range east of Soldotna), but also to Hawaii, China, and Central America. He enjoyed his visits to Montana, where he came up with his wife, Vida, to visit his daughter and her family on the Landa ranch. Hunting with Jerry Landa was one of lifes great treats for him. Between those Montana visits and his times in Alaska, he came to appreciate all the seasons had to offer.

John is survived by his son, Bill (Sallie) and Bills children Macy and Vida Madison of Los Alamitos, CA, his daughter, Vida, of Miles City, and her children, John Joseph (Cathy) of Boyes, Robert William of Seattle, and Vida Carisa Rose, of Missoula, nieces, Marsha Smith of Montgomery, Texas, and Joyce Oxley (Ray) of Bakersfield, California as well as his nieces, Sarah Kennington (Keith), Lisa Vance (Frank Simms), Lorelle Damolin, and Greta Brodsky (Chuck), sister- and brother-in-law, Betty Marie and Fred Vance all Texas, and numerous other nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. While many of his family and friends have preceded him in death, there are many who remain who will miss him greatly.

Whether camping in the Sierras, sailing his boat, or hunting, John loved the outdoors and taking on new adventures. He was a guy who is fondly remember by his daughter as the dad who drove his kids around the hills outside Taft in a 1934 Ford cabrolet (that he had fitted with dual wheels on the back!) while singing songs from his childhood. He never lost the singing or whistling. Even at Eagles Manor, you could hear him singing or whistling as he went through his day.Enjoying life to the end, John was most disappointed that the stroke was going to keep him from a dance that was to be held that day at Eagles Manor. Fortunately, he was able to learn that the dance was cancelled because the music couldnt come. But he never made it home to hang up the set of tails he had hung out (to wear to the dance?). What a party it would have been. . .

Those wishing to make memorial donations, may send them in his name to the charity or organization of their choice or to the Eagles Manor Memorial Fund, 1000 Palmer, Miles City, MT 59301 or to Custer County Art Center, Box 1284, Miles City, MT 59301. One will benefit those who have been part of his wonderful experience at this last best place. . . the other will help with the expansion/renovations at the Art Center as a recognition of his support and appreciation of the arts and artists in his life.