Richard Edward Strout
Richard Edward Strout was rewarded his victory over death as he left this earthly life to be eternally with our Savior. Richard passed peacefully in his home in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on September 25, 2024, from cancer after a year of treatment and small daily miracles for which he remained thankful.
Richard was born on Jan. 30, 1948, in Bangor, Me. as the oldest of four sons to Beverly Elaine Farrington Strout and Frank Everett Strout. He grew up in Bucksport, Me.; Fernandina Beach, Fl.; Wausau, Wi.; and Cincinnati, Ohio.
After graduating Green Hills High School, he attended Morehead College before enlisting in the Unted States Navy. Richard proudly served his country in the Atlantic Fleet of the U.S. Submarine Service as a Fire Control Tech on three different WWII era diesel boats - the USS Odax, the USS Grouper and the USS Cubera. He served in New London, Connecticut; Norfolk, Virginia; Charleston, South Carolina; Key West, Florida; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; and numerous tours throughout the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and the North Atlantic.
Upon discharge from the Navy, Richard relocated to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he was employed by Ace Hardware, Combustion Engineering and McKee Foods. He attended Chattanooga State Technical Community College and Covenant College obtaining both Mechanical Engineering and Business degrees while working full time. Richard was also a volunteer firefighter and EMT for Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department for many years and was an active member of Apison United Methodist Church.
Richard was a master electrician and owned Strout Electric for a time. He served as electrical construction superintendent at "Little Debbie" for 29 years. He retired in 2013 as an electrical designer from Lectrus in Chattanooga, and moved to Bowling Green, Ky. in 2015. A long time, short wave "HAM" radio operator, he was active in Kentucky Colonels, DX Club and the local K-M Ham Radio Club. He was an active member of Christ Global Methodist Church in Bowling Green and was a much-loved part of the Dorsey Class there.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, by his grandparents, Olive Marks Farrington and Perl Vernon Farrington of Bucksport, Maine and Zephyrhills, Florida.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 22 years, Gloria Jeanne Swope Strout, daughters Bonnie (Bob) Bezkor of Bowling Green, Kentucky and Dr. Beth Morris (Andrew Monteith) of Buchanan, Virginia and five precious grandsons, Barrett and Benjamin Bezkor and Drew, Luke and Sam Monteith. Daughters, Amy Smith and Christy Goodwin, reside in the Chattanooga area, along with five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He will be missed by siblings, Greg (Suzanne) Strout of Simpsonville, South Carolina; Steve Strout (Margery Grennon) of Roswell, Georgia; Jeff (Doris) Strout of Zephyrhills, Florida; Patricia (David) Baker and Terry (Betsy) Swope of Soddy Daisy, Tennessee. He treasured many, many very special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends in Florida, Georgia, California, South Carolina, Minnesota, Tennessee and Kentucky, as well his sweet dog Daisy.
Arrangements are by J. C. Kirby & Son Funeral Home on Lovers Lane in Bowling Green. Visitation will be Monday, Oct. 21, from 2:30-4 p.m. CDT at Christ Methodist Church on Cave Mill Road with Joyful Praise Service following at the church.
Interment with military honors will begin promptly at 11 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, Oct. 22, in the National Cemetery in Chattanooga.
Visitation to follow at the Boathouse Restaurant on the Tennessee River.
At Richard's request, any memorials may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, t2t.org, an organization providing homes to fallen first responder families.