Dennis Doutt, age 67, of 21503 Meadville Street, Venango, PA, died Sunday, January 17, 2010, at Meadville Medical Center. He was a lifelong resident of the Venango area. Born in Cambridge Township, Crawford County, PA, on November 28, 1942, he was a son of the late Richard Joseph Doutt and Betty Gene Zilhaver Doutt. On April 24, 1965, he married the former Carole Marie Melvin, and she survives.
Dennis was diagnosed in June, 2006, with multiple myeloma. He fought the disease courageously and without complaint, and his positive and outgoing attitude allowed him to make the most of every opportunity. He lived and breathed by the Golden Rule and was a trusted confidant always eager to lend a listening ear to anyone who needed a friend.
After graduating from Cambridge Springs High School with the class of 1960, he served in the US Navy from 1960-1963 aboard the United States destroyer USS Barry. In October 1962, the USS Barry was one of the naval ships involved in the blockade of Cuba which forced the resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis. While in the navy, Mr. Doutt developed a great interest in his tool and die training. Upon leaving the Navy, he worked for a brief time for American Viscose of Meadville and then joined Leech Tool and Die where he worked for twenty years honing his skills as a specialist in surface grinding and building and repairing dies. In 1978, he founded his own company, Doutt Tool, located on Gravel Run Road, Venango, where he continued as owner-operator until the present.
Dennis was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Drakes Mills where he served on the church council. He was also a member of VFW Post #2006 of Meadville and the Venango Volunteer Fire Department. A special interest of his was participating in the building of the Venango community basketball courts. He was a coach for the Cambridge Springs and Venango Little League baseball and softball teams for twenty-four years, mentoring his many players to reach their full potential. He was known as the ultimate spectator at his daughters’ and grandsons’ many sporting events, never missing a game. A member of the Pioneer Steam Engine Society, he enjoyed restoring and pulling his antique tractors. Finally, he loved cutting his own fire wood and planting and tending his garden with his grandchildren. He especially enjoyed harvesting pumpkins in the fall.
Besides his wife, Carole, Dennis is survived by his four daughters – Diana L. Ferris and her husband, Randy of Cambridge Springs; Vanessa Ranee Krepps and her husband, Kyle of Titusville; Chanda Kay Rice and her husband, Charles of Saegertown; and Olivia Christine Doutt of Akron, NY. Also surviving are six grandchildren – Jarred and Jacob Ferris; and Nicholas, Maxwell, Owen, and Kasey Krepps; a brother – David B. Doutt and his wife, Linda and a sister – Deborah G. Smith and her husband, Charles all of Venango. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home, Cambridge Springs, on Wednesday 7-9 and Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9. Funeral services will be held at St. Paul?????s Lutheran Church, Drakes Mill on Friday morning at 11:00. Reverend Donald Hake, former pastor of the church, will officiate. Interment will take place in Venango Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Family House-Shadyside, 5245 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232; Cambridge Springs Kiwanis Club “Christmas for Kids” program, c/o John Anderson, 26405 Mount Pleasant Rd., Cambridge Springs, PA 16403; or St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 25812 Pleasant Road, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403.
Our deepest sympathies to your entire family. We will definetly miss seeing Dennis’ smiling face around town. God Bless.
Vanessa, Chanda, Diana and Oivia,
I just found out about your dad and I am heartbroken for you. What a great man he must have been to raise four beautiful, amazing daughters. I am so very sorry for your loss. I will pray that God will comfort you during this difficult time, like only He can. Please extend my heartfelt sympathy to your mom as well, and to Jennifer and Derek on the loss of their uncle. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
I am sending my deepest sympathy for the entire Doubt family. I used to babysit the girls when I was younger. What a beautiful family… Mr and Mrs. Doubt were some of the nicest people, they are very family oriented as you read in the obituary every word is true from what I remember. I want you to know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
He will always be remembered as you share the stories and the memories of how he lived his life and how very much he meant, may you find comfort…And, throughout this difficult time, may you also know the deep sympathy and concern that is felt for you and all your family. I have fought the fine fight, I have run the course to the finish, I have observed the faith.-2Timothy 4:7. As for me, I will lie down that I may sleep; I shall certainly awake, for Jehovah himself keeps supporting me. -Psalms 3:5
Our thoughts and prayers are with your whole family in this time of loss.
To the doutt family,
Lucy and myself extend to you our sincere sorry for the loss of husband and dad.What a wonderful family and all of you must be so proud to be blessed to have such a great dad.
Lucy and Tom Hobson
Just wanted to let you know we are thinking of you and your family. Your dad was a good man. He was nice to everyone. He was a proud father and grandfather. We are praying for you and your family. He will be dearly missed!
To the Doutt Family,
Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Our deepest sympathy for your loss of a truly wonderful and giving person.
Art & Iliene Wolfe and family
Dennis was a well liked young man. He will be missed by all who came to know him.
Chanda – I was so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. I hope that many great memories will bring a smile to you and your family at this time.
Lisa (Cornelius) Biedermann
Dear Doutt family
You all are in my thoughts and prayers
I will always treasure the times D.Doutt spent with me playing baseball,football etc.
He was a GREAT man that gave unselfishly of himself to anyone who needed anything.
I consider myself lucky to have known him.
Bonnie,Drew and I offer our deepest sympathy to the Doutt family and may his love give you strength in this most difficult time.
Denny will be sadly missed by his family,friends and his community.God bless the Doutt family in this time of loss
Doutt Family,
You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I am sorry for your great loss.
Rick and Gail Tucci
Diana, Randy & Family,
Please know that you are in our thoughts & prayers at this time.
It’s difficult to say goodbye to someone that meant so much to you. I was always so proud to let people know that Dennis was my brother-in-law. I’m sure that he had his faults, because we all do. We’re simply mortals! But, I will choose to remember him for his strong devotion to family. Dennis lived for his family and I’m sure that is what allowed him to continue on for so long in spite of the horrific disease that took him from us far too soon.
On a personal note, I always admired the close bond the Dennis, David and Debbie had. They were inseparable and you could just feel their closeness. Growing up a few years younger, Debbie always looked up to her “Big Brothers”. They were her pillars of strength, her protectors and source of wisdom.
Dennis’ passing will leave a huge void in our lives that will be difficult for time to heal. But, I will be internally grateful to him for being such a tremendous brother to my wife.
Chuck
Dear Doutt Family,
I was so sorry to hear about Dennis’ death. When I think of him, I remember a kind, smiling man. I will continue to pray for all of you as you grieve, that you will know God’s presence and comfort.
~Becky (Webster) Fetters
God bless your family in this time of loss.
Venango lost one of it’s best on Sunday, January 17, 2010. Dennis was an outstanding individual who supported the community all his life. He was especially interested in sports and was always available to play with the neighbor kids, whether it be basketball, football or baseball in the field across from his home. My kids enjoyed and loved Dennis and as their children came along, he was also available to play with them. He was one in a million.
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers during this time..
He was a great man. I will remember all the great times I was able to spend with you all. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.