James Morton Stout passed away Sunday August 14, 2016 in Helena, MT. He was born February 25th, 1922, the seventh of eight children born to Charles O., and Re Anna Stout of Ballantine, MT. He was raised on the family farm, attended school in Ballantine, and graduated from the Huntley Project High School in 1939.
He attended College for one year in San Luis Obispo, California, but had to drop out upon the tragic death of his older brother Robert and his wife Maxine, in a blizzard near Judith Gap. He, and his younger brother Greg, took over the family farm which Robert had operated. During these years on the farm, he met and married Gladys Wystrach, a teacher who had come to the Huntley Project to teach First Grade in the Ballantine School. They had two boys, Gary D. Stout (Patti) and Darrell J. Stout. Both of the boys are now residing in Helena, MT.
During these years of farming and raising a family, he took a Civil Service Exam, along with 29 other applicants, and was successful in being appointed as Postmaster in Ballantine, a position he held for 30 years. While serving as Postmaster, he built a business called Tiger Town, which consisted of an Exxon Station, Grocery Store, Lunch Counter, Laundromat, Car Wash and Motel.
He was active in Civic affairs, served as chairman of the Church Board, Member of the Ballantine Little Theatre Group, School Board, Board of Directors that built the Huntley Project Medical Center, charter member of the Pryor Creek Golf Club, and as a Charter member of the Huntley Project Lions Club; he became President of the local club and went on to become a District Governor of Lions International 37-A. During this time in Lions, he was active in establishing Homesteader Hall and Park. He was also the originator and one of the seven Editors of “Sod, Seed, and Tumbleweed,” A History of the Huntley Project.
Upon retiring from the Postal Service in 1982, and selling Tiger Town in 1989, he and Gladys traveled extensively in the United States and Europe. In 1996, they sold their home in Ballantine and moved to Denver. Six years later, they returned to Montana to their present home in Helena.
James is survived by two sons, Gary (Patti) and Darrell, one brother Gregory (Ramona), three grandchildren, Nicole (Johnny) Keintz, Doug (Ciara) Stout and Allison Stout, and four great-grandchildren, Ethan, Ainsley and Noah Keintz and Emmaline Stout, along with many nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place and it is the express wish of Jim that no special services be held. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or share a memory of Jim.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Pat Kessner says
Darrell & Gary. I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. Your parents were very dear to all of us at the clinic. Two of my favorite people are again reunited. My deepest sympathy to all of you.
Rick Cabrera says
Darrell and Gary,
Your parents were so wonderful to the Cabrera family. Your mom was my 3rd grade teacher and your dad gave me my first job as a kid at “Tiger Town”. I learned the “value of a dollar” and I spent it well at the fair in Billings growing up. I still remember the fishing trips with your dad and your uncle Greg to Yellowtail dam. To this day I still go to the dam often. Your parents were the “mainstay” of Ballantine and will be missed. I long since moved from Ballantine and live in Billings. Your parents will always be remember by me.
Tammy Danielson says
I was so sad to learn of the passing of Jim. I was able to cook at Tiger Town for him and Greg and when they sold it for the second time and moved to Denver & then to Helena we always kept in touch at Christmas time with cards. Gladys also was my third grade teacher, they were both wonderful people to me and my family. They will be missed but they are both back together again. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your families.
Jim and Mary Knapp says
Dear Stout family, Jim and Gladys were such wonderful people and neighbors! When we moved to the Project we were so lucky to have bought a home on the Stout row. They welcomed us with open hearts when we moved into the community to teach at the School Jim and Gladys were such hard workers and filled with fun. Their home was so inviting and always open to entertaining. We were not around when they all had fun in the Ballantine Theater group, but enjoyed hearing about the “Flora Dora’s”. Jim and I are active Board members at the H.P. Museum and the latest display we have is dedicated to the Theater group. Please send your email address and I will forward pictures of the display. May your family be filled with wonderful memories and may your hearts be healed from your loss.
. Both Jim and I volunteer at the Huntley Project Museum
Mary Chronister says
Your parents were the ideal neighbors for my in-laws from North Carolina, Joyce and Carroll Chronister, when they moved next door on Blue Heron. We appreciated and admired your father’s endless service to them, from mowing their lawn to picking up their mail. What a remarkable man.