Funeral services for Mr. Chester E. Stout, age 86, of Carthage, Texas, will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 10, 2010, at the First United Methodist Church in Carthage with Rev. Keefe Cropper and Rev. Leah Hanks officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Oddfellows Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Mr. Stout passed away on Saturday afternoon, August 7, 2010, in Marshall.

Chester Stout was a native of Chanute, Kansas and attended public schools in Kansas, Nebraska, and Texas. He graduated from Edinburg, Texas High School in 1942, and continued his education at Edinburg Jr. College (now Pan American University), prior to entering the U.S. Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida. He was an officer and pilot in the USNR during WWII. He was a member of the American Legion for over 60 years. He worked for Terry-Farris Dept. Store after the war, and was transferred to Carthage in 1949, as store manager of that chain of stores. After moving to Carthage, he met and married Johnny Fite, who was a native of Carthage. They owned and operated the New Shoe Box.

Mr. Stout was active in the First United Methodist Church where he was a substitute teacher of the Men's Bible Class and a member of the church choir for over 50 years. He also was a lay speaker and revival song leader. He served as a member of the Administrative Board, was a Treasurer and a Trustee, and was Chairman of the Council on Ministries. Mr. Stout was a great supporter of the community.

He served as Director and Chairman of the Merchant's Division of the Panola County United Fund. He was a very active Panola County Chamber of Commerce member, having served as Director, President, and President and Chairman of the Merchant's Division. He was one of the first Ambassadors of the Chamber and has been an active member since 1971. He was honored as Panola County outstanding citizen in 1959-1960, Ambassador of the year in 1983, and Panola County Image Maker in 1984. Mr. Stout was granted life membership in the Chamber (one of three in the Chamber's history) in recognition of over 50 years of dedicated service in 1984. Mr. Stout served as Director, Vice-President, and President of the Panola County Development Foundation.

He was member of the Masonic Lodge and the Grand Lodge of Texas for over 50 years, past secretary of the Hidalgo Lodge #1036 AF&AM in Edinburg. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, Shriner of Sharon Temple, past President of the Panola County Shrine Club, recipient of the Potentate's Samsar Jewel, and a member of the 100 million dollar club-Shriner's Hospital.

In 1976, he attended the National Conference on Career Education and served as a consultant to the Texas Education Agency for 18 months during the writing of the statewide plan for implementing career education in Texas public schools. He was past chairman of the student services advisory committee, Region VII Education Service Center in Kilgore, and recipient of the "School Bell Award" from Carthage I.S.D. in 1980, for his outstanding service to school, students, and faculty.

Mr. Stout was a second generation Lion and became a Lion in 1946.
He held virtually all club offices and served on the Board of Directors and as President from 1959-1960. He was a key member and had 50 years of perfect attendance. He was Chairman of the annual Lions Club Show for many years. Mr. Stout attended 25 Lions Intl. Conventions and in a spirit of international understanding, has visited Lions in Spain, Jamaica, and Mexico. He served as Lions Chairman from 1969-1970, served as District Governor from 1970-1971, received 100% District Governor's Award 1970-1971, received three International President's Awards, the Lions International Extension Award for organizing three new clubs as Governor, and chartered the 25,000th club in the world in Fred, Texas District 2-S1 while Governor. He was a Life Member of the Texas Lions League for Crippled Children, past Director of Texas Lions League for Crippled Children, and secretary to the Executive Committee. He delivered charter night and addresses to new clubs in five districts. Mr. Stout was a holder of the Bronze Key in Century Club, served as District Chaplain, Speakers Bureau Chairman, and Cabinet Secretary. In 1985, he was a Melvin Jones Fellow.

Due to the generosity of Mr. Stout, his large donation in memory of his wife Johnny, led to the creation of the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in Carthage. He served on the Board of the Hall of Fame as Vice-President since 1992.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Gladys Stout of Edinburg and his wife, Johnny who died in 1995. Mr. Stout is survived by two brothers, Bob Stout of Kingsville and Don Stout and wife Mary Louis of Edinburg and one sister, Majorie Sledge and husband Rob of Abilene. Several nieces, nephews, and a host of friends also survive Mr. Stout.

Serving as pallbearers are Warren Biggs, Jerry Hanszen, Phil Grimes, Lynn Vincent, Kay Garrett, Joe Hudson, James Browning, Steve Langford, and Ray Chamness.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are the members of the Carthage Lions Club, Panola County Shrine Club, and Loyal Sons Sunday School Class.

If desired, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church Foundation, 201 S. Shelby, Carthage, TX 75633 or Texas Lions Camp, P.O. Box 290247, Kerrville, TX 78029.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.