John Howell Stout went home to be with his Heavenly Father Thursday, July 21, 2011. Johnny, as he was known, was born in Memphis, Tenn., and would have been 70 years old Aug. 1.

He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother and friend. He was a friendly, gentle, loving and kind person to everyone even if it was a stranger. He was a member of Bovina Baptist Church.

Johnny retired in 1995 as an engineering technician with 31 years of service from the Structures Laboratory, Weapons Effects Division of Waterways Experiment Station (WES), now known as ERDC. He received several certificates and awards for his achievements and good work ethics. He became a well-respected and much sought-after explosives technician at WES as well as other Army agencies around the country.

He traveled to many foreign countries during his tenure at WES and enjoyed his 31 years of service with his fellow employees. He often told stories of the fun times they all had together. Johnny had a dry sense of humor and a very quick wit that would make you laugh. He will be sadly missed.

Johnny was preceded in death by his father, John Edward Stout; mother, Carol Howell Wilkerson; stepfather, Charles Wilkerson; stepbrother, John Scott Wilkerson; granddaughter, Megan Ann Mims; and son-in-law, Bubba Mims.

He leaves behind to mourn his death his high school sweetheart and wife of 50 years, Betty Ann Davidson Stout; three daughters, Cindy Fumbanks (Louis), Karen Barnes (Jason) and Suzanne Stabler (Robby), all of Vicksburg; grandchildren, Anna Fumbanks (fiancé Joey Gerache), Jessica Holloway (Eric), Paige Mims, Claire Mims and Corey Stabler, all of Vicksburg; stepgrandchildren, Gerald Mims of Florence and Judd Mims and Caitlin Barnes Beard, both of Vicksburg; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Mary Jane Solomon (Phil) of Vicksburg; and nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Visitation will be at Glenwood Funeral Home Monday, July 25, 2011, from 9 a.m. until the service at 11 a.m. The Rev. Bob Conrad and the Rev. Robert Jackman will officiate at the funeral services, which are to follow the visitation. Burial will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Phil Jones, Dewayne Fuller, Tommy Williams, Dennis Rickman, Frank Skinner, Danny Biggs and Steven Magee.

Honorary pallbearers will be Roy Blades, Dr. Bob Welch, Don Day, Jim Hossley, Billy Benson, Dr. Jon Windham, Don Murrell, Darryl Hale, Sherman Price, Coy Flanagan, Jimmy Stabler, Buddy Rowland, Jim Thurman, Bobby Barlow, John Nelson, Purvis Hoben, Danny Jones, Ronnie Lampkin, Joe Belew, Jim Ingram, L.C. Fumbanks, Charles Hendrix, all former employees of Waterways Experiment Station, WES First Tuesday Shoney’s Breakfast Club and Bovina Café employees and Breakfast Gang.

The family would like to thank Patient’s Choice Hospice employees Kim Carr, Michelle Spray, Lori May, Sebrina Rogers, MiMi Jeffers and Private Home Care employee Charletta Hall.

Memorials are requested to Bovina Baptist Church or Ochsner’s Clinic Foundation for the Transplant Assistance Fund, Philanthropy Dept., 1514 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans, LA 70121.