1
tree
planted in memory of David L. Stout
Obituary for David L. Stout
David Stout, 75, of Pekin passed away Thursday, December 17, 2020 at UnityPoint Health Methodist in Peoria.
Pull up a stool next to me pal and let me tell you about my old friend Davey, Dave, Dad, Mr. Dave, Papa Stout, David L. Stout.
Born and raised in America’s heartland to Irene and Howard Stout on February 23, 1945 amidst the straight lines of farm country in Mason and Tazewell Counties, Dave loved the solid serenity he could find in his tractor as he harvested beans, corn, and pumpkins. Taking pride in a thorough job done well, Dave was a heart-on-his-sleeve and dependable man who found peace in the still moments of an early morning cup of black coffee enjoyed while watching the sun rise over the river as he sat in his immaculate F150. However, Dave also had a speed streak in his heart as he would reminisce on his days as a stock car driver and fervently followed his favorite NASCAR drivers: to say his heart broke when Earnhardt died is an understatement. Prior to his time perfecting left turns and speeding down the straights, Dave served a tour in Vietnam with the 134th Quartermaster Company, 240th Battalion of the US Army. Now normally, you couldn’t get Davey to stop telling a story (especially the same ones over and over… and over) but when it came to his time in Vietnam: he wasn’t keen on sharing and only recently began opening up about his memories of his time overseas. The one person he did share all of the pieces of his heart and mind with was his best friend and love of his life: his wife Molly who preceded him in death in April 2010.
Married November 22, 1969, Dave and Molly shared a love for gathering with their extensive network of friends who were close as family and everyone was always welcome in their house and party garage. They loved to host large gatherings when a race was on TV with food, drinks, laughs, dice and euchre games, and everyone was always greeted with Davey’s welcoming smile. From his time working at Caterpillar building SS to mowing grass for Palmer’s Flying Service in Manito: Dave knew no strangers. As Dave and Molly settled into their life together, they welcomed two sons Douglas (Erin) and Michael (Tara) just 18 months apart. Jay-bird is the son that walked into their lives and fit just as naturally as if Molly and Dave had brought him home from the hospital themselves. Dave enjoyed seeing his boys grow to love watching NASCAR and the St. Louis Cardinals as much as he did and taught them to respect how a man carries himself on and off the field of play as more valuable than the stats he racks up.
As the boys grew, so did their families. Welcoming the first grandchild, Megan (referred to as his “brown-eyed beauty”) in 1998 and then Drew in 2000 who would become as much of a pal as a grandson, Dave doted on his growing family. Much to the delight of everyone, Doug and Erin’s twins Brock and Kolby came along in 2008 and they brought a twinkle to Dave’s eyes as he could personally relate to their ornery antics. Mike and Tara added to the crew in 2009 with Luke, who inherited Dave’s gift of telling a long rambling story. Finally, in 2012, “Papa Stout’s” last grandchild Savvy was born which showcased just what a big old softie he was.
Although the last lap of his life was much faster than we wanted it to be, tales about Dave Stout are almost mythically legendary. From the time he smashed up his stock car during a race at the Peoria Speedway and Molly climbed into the ambulance with him, thus solidifying their bond to the countless jokes he could play by flattening his nose against his face: Dave was a natural story-teller. From always making sure the kegerator was full to getting the hand-tossed batter just right for a fish-fry: Dave was a true friend. From ceaselessly referring to Molly as his best friend and bride to never failing to support his boys at a game or his grandkids at a school program: Dave was a loving family man.
Such a man’s memory is deserving of much more fanfare than the current times allow; therefore, memorials and a celebration of life will have to wait a little while. So instead my friend, today we pile up the beer chips and lift a frosty Mich-Ultra to my friend Dave Stout: may his smile ever brighten our memories and his legacy earn the checkered flag of admiration.
The Cremation Society of Mid-Illinois Co. Pekin/Peoria is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at csmico.com
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Pull up a stool next to me pal and let me tell you about my old friend Davey, Dave, Dad, Mr. Dave, Papa Stout, David L. Stout.
Born and raised in America’s heartland to Irene and Howard Stout on February 23, 1945 amidst the straight lines of farm country in Mason and Tazewell Counties, Dave loved the solid serenity he could find in his tractor as he harvested beans, corn, and pumpkins. Taking pride in a thorough job done well, Dave was a heart-on-his-sleeve and dependable man who found peace in the still moments of an early morning cup of black coffee enjoyed while watching the sun rise over the river as he sat in his immaculate F150. However, Dave also had a speed streak in his heart as he would reminisce on his days as a stock car driver and fervently followed his favorite NASCAR drivers: to say his heart broke when Earnhardt died is an understatement. Prior to his time perfecting left turns and speeding down the straights, Dave served a tour in Vietnam with the 134th Quartermaster Company, 240th Battalion of the US Army. Now normally, you couldn’t get Davey to stop telling a story (especially the same ones over and over… and over) but when it came to his time in Vietnam: he wasn’t keen on sharing and only recently began opening up about his memories of his time overseas. The one person he did share all of the pieces of his heart and mind with was his best friend and love of his life: his wife Molly who preceded him in death in April 2010.
Married November 22, 1969, Dave and Molly shared a love for gathering with their extensive network of friends who were close as family and everyone was always welcome in their house and party garage. They loved to host large gatherings when a race was on TV with food, drinks, laughs, dice and euchre games, and everyone was always greeted with Davey’s welcoming smile. From his time working at Caterpillar building SS to mowing grass for Palmer’s Flying Service in Manito: Dave knew no strangers. As Dave and Molly settled into their life together, they welcomed two sons Douglas (Erin) and Michael (Tara) just 18 months apart. Jay-bird is the son that walked into their lives and fit just as naturally as if Molly and Dave had brought him home from the hospital themselves. Dave enjoyed seeing his boys grow to love watching NASCAR and the St. Louis Cardinals as much as he did and taught them to respect how a man carries himself on and off the field of play as more valuable than the stats he racks up.
As the boys grew, so did their families. Welcoming the first grandchild, Megan (referred to as his “brown-eyed beauty”) in 1998 and then Drew in 2000 who would become as much of a pal as a grandson, Dave doted on his growing family. Much to the delight of everyone, Doug and Erin’s twins Brock and Kolby came along in 2008 and they brought a twinkle to Dave’s eyes as he could personally relate to their ornery antics. Mike and Tara added to the crew in 2009 with Luke, who inherited Dave’s gift of telling a long rambling story. Finally, in 2012, “Papa Stout’s” last grandchild Savvy was born which showcased just what a big old softie he was.
Although the last lap of his life was much faster than we wanted it to be, tales about Dave Stout are almost mythically legendary. From the time he smashed up his stock car during a race at the Peoria Speedway and Molly climbed into the ambulance with him, thus solidifying their bond to the countless jokes he could play by flattening his nose against his face: Dave was a natural story-teller. From always making sure the kegerator was full to getting the hand-tossed batter just right for a fish-fry: Dave was a true friend. From ceaselessly referring to Molly as his best friend and bride to never failing to support his boys at a game or his grandkids at a school program: Dave was a loving family man.
Such a man’s memory is deserving of much more fanfare than the current times allow; therefore, memorials and a celebration of life will have to wait a little while. So instead my friend, today we pile up the beer chips and lift a frosty Mich-Ultra to my friend Dave Stout: may his smile ever brighten our memories and his legacy earn the checkered flag of admiration.
The Cremation Society of Mid-Illinois Co. Pekin/Peoria is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at csmico.com
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