Ronald Woodruff Stout

To honor and celebrate the life of Ronald Woodruff Stout (Ron)

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Ronald Woodruff Stout, son of Lewis Woodruff Stout and Genevieve Louise Eccles, was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, May 21, 1939. The family moved to Bountiful where Ron lived the rest of his 84 years. He is close to his siblings: Jerry (Marilyn), Lavon (Joe Johnson), Jolene (Steve Johnson) and LuAnn (Chris Andersen). Work was the dominant feature of his life. Starting as a boy, he loved working with his Dad in construction and earning a wage of $.25 an hour as a helper on the construction of the LDS Church located on 1400 South in Bountiful.

He developed polio during an epidemic that rocked the country. He was in the fifth grade. He credited his Mother, Louise, for saving him from crippling effects with her diligent care, leaving him well and unharmed by the disease. His parents were both tall, and Ron grew taller and taller until he stopped at 6'6". Basketball became his focus, and he spent as much time practicing his skills at the garage door basketball hoop as his parents and his neighbors would tolerate. He earned the position as center on the Varsity Bountiful High School basketball team when he was a senior. Bountiful High also had a Rifle club that met in the basement of the school. The ceiling was so low, he could not stand straight, but as a rifle marksman he received recognition for his skills. He was a terrific shot all his life.

In 1957, he graduated with the first Bountiful High School class. Ron served in the Utah National Guard for seven years. He continued working with his father in construction. While taking classes at the University of Utah, he excelled in accounting and drafting courses. On July 1,1960, he married Irene Ann Fugle in the Salt Lake Temple. They rented a small apartment in Bountiful for $62.50 a month. With his brother, Jerry, Ron launched a construction company with oversized ambition and very little cash. Their first job was roofing a home on Mill Street. They were paid $6.00 an hour and felt like the richest men in town. They soon realized they didn't break even, however, they continued to follow their dream of building homes in Bountiful and throughout Davis County. Eventually the brothers separated. Ron worked long and hard to make his business grow and thrive. He launched Crestwood Mill and Cabinet in later years and expanded into commercial building. His creativity and skills resulted in Ron becoming a master in all aspects of general contracting. Ron was always a leader, a boss, yet a kind, loyal, good-natured friend with employees and customers. Ron “Go to work and build..." Ether 2:16 loved jokes, games, big mugs of pop and family parties.

Busy years found the family moving from place to place around Bountiful. Serving the youth in Scouting and Young Men was one of Ron's greatest achievements. He built four unique homes along the way as the family grew to include eight children: Ann (Kevin Hansen), John (Kathy), Paul (Jen), James (Becca), Amy (late Rich DeLaMare), Jana, Lara (Mat Gordon), and Mike (Teresa). He was a loyal, loving Dad and Grandpa (Grampz). The family enjoyed "Stout Camp", a 63-year-old yearly family tradition that included boating, hiking, waterskiing, swimming, and motorcycling. Family night and Church activities also solidified family ties.

His legacy for his posterity is a strong foundation, a deep commitment to the Lord and lots of jokes. In his last two years he sent a joke to every family member every day. After 63 years of marriage, Ron and Irene currently have 81 members of their family, 39 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. When asked to think of one word that summed up his life—he chose "HONESTY". His last day at work was two days before his passing when he, with a daughter, paid bills, called associates and sent out the joke of the day as he endured to the end. In the Book of Mormon, Ether 2:16 there is a phrase that describes Ron, “Go to work and build...". That he did.