James E. Stout
April 11, 1938 ~ April 5, 2021
James E. Stout, 82, Sioux Falls, died Monday, April 5, 2021, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, from recent health issues.
James E. Stout was born April 11, 1938, to Gene and Letha (Ewen) Stout in Lewistown IL. The family moved to Denver, CO, where he graduated from Cherry Creek High School. Following graduation from high school, he was drafted into the Navy where he served on the USS Bon Homme Richard. Following discharge from the Navy in December of 1959, he attended Northern State in Aberdeen, SD, where he played football and wrestled. Jim graduated from Northern in 1963 and was hired to teach high school and coach football and wrestling in Yankton, SD.
Jim married Sheila Smith of Aberdeen, SD, in 1964, and they had two children; Nancy (Matt) Kiesow, from Brandon, SD, and Jenni (Tony) Taylor, from Boise, ID. He also had three grandchildren, Riley Kiesow, Sioux Falls, SD, Delaney Kiesow, Brandon, SD, and Tucker Stout, Portland, OR.
Jim left teaching and worked an assortment of jobs until he found his passion in environmental consulting. In 1984, Jim and Sheila moved from Yankton, SD, to Sioux Falls, SD. During this time, he continued to be active as an official, for football and wrestling, for the high school and college ranks. He would often come home with many humorous stories from the games on the field or matches on the mat and even the shenanigans with his officiating crew. In 1990, Jim was inducted into the Northern State Hall of Fame for Wrestling and Football. In 1994, Jim and Sheila moved to Golden, CO. where he eventually started his own environmental consulting firm. Jim sold his business and retired in 2016. He and Sheila then moved back to Sioux Falls, SD, after 23 years in Golden, CO.
Jim will be deeply missed by his immediate family as well as his sister, Janet (Fred) Daley, Idaho, and so many extended family and friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Isabel (Duane) Riedel, Aberdeen, SD; and two brothers, Bill (Gloria) Stout, and Bob (Charlene) Stout, Colorado.
Jim has requested no funeral or memorial services, but instead, he wanted everyone to go out for dinner in his honor and have a toast for him! GO BRONCO’S!!
I met Coach Stout at Dan Lynches house in Yankton. Dan was my college roommate at Nebraska. We had been out on a wild late Friday night. He came very early in the morning, we were sleeping it off in the basement. He came down stairs and rousted us out. We had a great time talking, telling wrestling and football stories. I had wrestled at Lincoln High, against Coach Stouts Yankton teams. He was an outstanding Coach, respected even by opponents. RIP Coach, and say hi to Dan for me.
Thank you, Jeff, for bringing back great memories of our time in Yankton and Dan. We appreciated your kind remarks.
Jim’s family
Jim, was someone that I knew from a different time and place, and business was interesting with Jim.
Rest In Peace, Jim
Knew Jim back in the late ’60’s and 70’s, had many spirited meets on the wrestling mats, and something exciting always happening when Jim was around. I was at Huron and Washington at the time. He had some great teams. Great guy!
My husband and I had the distinct pleasure of being Jim and Sheila’s neighbors since their last move to Sioux Falls in 2016, and I can’t express enough how happy we are to be able to get to know them and become friends with such an amazing couple. Jim had us laughing so hard every single time we talked, he had the best sense of humor! Last year on this date, during the lockdown I made a sign to hang in our window for Jim to see. This year I can’t do that, so I will make this my *sign* for Jim…
“Happy birthday Jim! You will be missed! We love you! Jon and Shelli”
Sheila, You have my complete sorrow on the loss of Jim. I didn’t know him very well, but I sure knew you well going through
Simmons and Central together. Jim Wilson, class of ’59
Jim! I would like you to know that I think of you every June 11th and wish you a happy birthday. The house you lived in in Aberdeen is one of my favorite styles, and when I see one like it, I always call it a Jimmy Wilson house!
Thank you for caring! Sheila
Sheila, so sorry to hear about Jim, he taught me what it takes to become a champion.We are having our 50 year class reunion in September, I will definitely be raising a toast for him with my classmates.
Thank you, Chip, for your comments! I will always recall all you wrestlers in our basement family room watching the video of the weekend matches and cheering when a great move was made by one of you…usually yours! Sheila
My cousin, Mike Papik, would always tell me the story of the time Jim was in the hospital and he had a dream about him and yelled out his name. Mike was really proud of his days in wrestling. He passed away July 8 2020 at the age of 63. Jim’s memory will live on.
Thank you for Mike’s recollection of Jim. I remember that very well! Jim was so sick with meningitis and cried out encouraginng words to Mike! I am sure there wil be a session of wrestling memories with others that have passed away too.
I Just ran across a button that was in my mother’s possession at the time of her death. The button says Jim Stout’s Knot Hole Gang. I was curious so I did some googling and I believe my father knew your dad from growing up in Aberdeen. I could always mail it to you if you would like.