Kenneth Taylor Stoutamire

James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel 4278 Lafayette Street Marianna, Florida 32446 850.482.2332 Kenneth Taylor Stoutamire, 75 was born in Quincy, Florida on November 30, 1938 and passed away on September 20, 2014. While still a young boy, the family moved to Panama City, Florida where his father was one of the first general contractors in Bay County. As Ken grew up he spent many happy times on the bay in Panama City and exploring the land in Blue Creek, Florida where the Stoutamire's originally settled years before Florida became a state. Ken was always mesmerized by the beauty and natural resources of the water and the land. After graduating from Bay High, Ken joined the United States Army. Following the service to his country, Ken attended and graduated from Chipola Junior College. After his graduation from Chipola, Ken studied forestry at the University of Florida and business at Florida State University. He returned to Marianna and sold stocks and bonds for Waddell and Reed. Ken soon married Faye Nordan Stoutamire and began to be involved in the family floral business. In 1970, Ken obtained his B. S. in Marketing from the University of West Florida. Ken was hired as Vocational Director at Sunland Training Center after receiving his degree. During his career at Sunland , he was an advocate for the disabled and their abilities. Ken continued his education and became a registered horticultural therapist, master level. Ken utilized horticultural therapy with the clients and chaired Florida's first statewide Horticultural Therapy Conference in 1983. Ken, envisioned and was able to create Sunland's Environmental Park with his clients and former Sunland Administration continuing to share his love of nature. After retiring from Sunland , Ken shared his creativity in the family floral business for many years. Throughout the years in Marianna he was an active community leader. Ken was a charter member of the Optimist Club. He was instrumental as the project chairman in the vision and development of the MERE, Optimist Park. This project came to fruition after a period of nine years and was dedicated to the youth of the community. Ken served as Lt. Governor of Florida Optimist International in 1984. Ken always said he lived by the Optimist Creed. He was past President of the Chipola Alumni Association and instrumental in the development of the Chipola Foundation. In the past years, Ken served on the Advisory Council of the Florida Alliance for the Employment of Handicapped, Inc. He served his community as Farm City Chair and member of the committee. In 1983 he was program chair for the National Conference on Energy and Rural Economic Development Conference. Ken was active for many years in the Florida State Florist Association. He received the Outstanding Citizens Award by the Chipola Services Association in 1982 and was nominated in 1997 for Jackson County Citizen of the Year. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, James Taylor Stoutamire and Ann Shuler Stoutamire. He is survived by his daughter, Kathryn Jordan, and son, Kenneth Stoutamire and his wife, Allison. Ken had three grandchildren, Hampton Jordan, Daniel and Madelyn Stoutamire all of Marianna; his brothers, Mike Stoutamire and his wife, Edith of Blue Creek, Florida, and Jon Stoutamire and his wife, Marlene of Lakewood Ranch, Florida. Ken leaves a very special friend, Sue Foran of Marianna and a host of nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at First United Methodist Church, Marianna, Florida on Tuesday, September 23, 2014, from 6 pm - 8 pm. The funeral service will be at 10:00 am, Wednesday, September 24, at First United Methodist Church, Marianna, Florida with Rev. Bill Elwell officiating. Interment will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens, Marianna, Florida with James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel directing. Flowers will be accepted or memorial donations may be made to the Optimist Club to support the youth of Jackson County. Expressions of sympathy may be made online at www.jamesandsikesfuneralhomes.com