Memorial
Donald Jonathan Stout PhD, 94, of Cedar Rapids, died peacefully Friday, May 1, 2015 at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Monday, May 4, 2015 at Cedar Memorial Funeral Home. Funeral Service: 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. Graveside services: 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at Aspen Grove Cemetery in Burlington.
Survivors include his wife, Odessa Stout of Cedar Rapids; three children, Robert (Rita) Stout of Kingman, AZ, Vicki (Richard) Dillon of Burlington, Richard (Nancy) Stout of Anamosa; five grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and one great-great granddaughter.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert Stout; a daughter-in-law; one grandson; and twin great granddaughters.
Don was born October 17, 1920, the son of Earl J. and Fae (Duea) Stout in McCallsburg, IA. He graduated from Iowa State Teacher's College in 1941. Don married the love of his life, Odessa Redding Stout, on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1942. During WWII (1941-1945) he was an officer in the United States Navy. He served in convoy escort duty in both the North Atlantic and Caribbean Sea. Later he taught large-caliber gunnery techniques and was the skipper of a sub chaser, retiring with the rank of Commander.
Following the war, Don received his MA in plant physiology, and taught at Burlington High School for two years. In 1948 he was chosen as principal of Horace Mann Junior High. He held this position for more than a decade. In 1964 he earned his PhD. His doctoral dissertation..."Some Comparative Characteristics and Practices in Junior High Schools in Five Midwestern States," became a textbook in many college classes. After earning his PhD in school administration, Don was hired as Executive Director of Secondary Education for the Cedar Rapids Community Schools in 1959, a demanding position he held for over 25 years.
One of his proudest achievements was when he, and colleague, Dr. Ralph Plagman, established Metro High School, an alternative high school for those who struggled with traditional educational programming. Addressing another need, Don and Dr. Arnold Salsbury formed a committee to draw up the plans for the beginning of Area 10 Community College, (which later became Kirkwood Community College.) A further highlight of his career came when he was asked to go abroad to evaluate schools in Germany. He was a member of many national organizations; North Central Association, Pi Delta Kappa, NCSSP, Tri-Beta, Reserve Officers Association, and was selected as Kiwanis 'Young Man of the Year' in 1948.
Don especially enjoyed fishing, gardening, camping, and spending time with family. His boat-handling skills were always top notch. When asked about the secret of being married seventy-three years to Dess, he advised that it was best to be honest, dependable, loving and tolerant.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family. It was Don's desire to create a scholarship for Metro High School.