John Edward Outen, Sr.

BETHUNE – Our father, John Edward Outen Sr. the adventurous man, went to walk the streets of gold the morning of May 19, 2025. He was 11 days away from his 90th birthday . We want to thank the angels of McLeod Hospice House for the honor they showed as he journeyed from this life to the next.

His Celebration of Life will be held Monday May26 at 11:00 a.m. at Norton Funeral Home in Hartsville S.C. The family will receive friends and family on Monday 10-11:00 a.m. prior to the service.

He was born in Bethune, SC on May 30, 1935. He was the son of the late John Hilton and Essie Lee Melton Outen. He was an Air Force Veteran and served in different bases throughout the United States. After his service, he retired from DuPont Inc. and from his HVAC business, Inlet Service, in Murrells Inlet SC.

Surviving is his wife of Mary Tolbert Outen of Bethune SC, his son, JohnEdward Outen Jr. (Karin) of Shepherdstown WV, daughters, Teresa Outen Reed of Hartsville SC, and Rebecca Outen McKnight of Bethune SC and his sister, Mary Eagan (Lynn) of Collierville, Tenn. Grandchildren; Adrian Outen (Kristen), Chase McKnight (Kayla), John McKnight (Kelli), Richard McKnight, Kenneth Reed (Tena), Jason Reed (Angie) and great-grandchildren: Isabella, John Thomas, and Jack Colton McKnight, Nico and Nova Outen, Reed and Ava Jane McKnight, Megan and Gabriel Reed. Nephews and nieces: Dr.Steven Shao, Dr. Lawrence Shao (Alicia), Dr. Alan Shao, Pam Nesbitt (Thomas) Susan Holloway (Richard), Lisa Betthauser (David), Greg Moser, Mary Lynn Morris (Joseph) Melissa Eagan, and Marcelyn Eagan Van Buskirk (Matthew)

He will join his close family in heaven that went before him, Sisters, Miriam Jenkins, Betty Lucille Shao (Steven), nephews, Dr. Dale Shao, Kenny Moser, and great granddaughter, Cherie Outen.

He loved his family and took us on many trips. He could fish anywhere there was water. He loved walking, panning for gold, adventures of all types, traveling in his RV all over the country, hunting/trapping, gardening and canning whatever he grew in his garden. He could do anything he set his mind to do. He was a loving and caring man. We will all miss him very much. Until we meet again, enjoy your glorious heavenly home. We love you!

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the following: https://alan2legacy.org/

Norton Funeral Home & Crematory of Hartsville is honored to be serving the Outen family.