Garry Stoutmeyer lived his passion of preaching, teaching, and counseling. With a gift for memorization and oration, he is remembered for quoting hymns and Bible verses from memory in his prayers, sermons, and daily life. Stoutmeyer died Jan. 5 after a very brief illness. His daughter, Cynthia Stoutmeyer Volkers, followed him in death 10 days later from lupus.
Stoutmeyer was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Mich., and after high school attended Western Michigan University, and Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia, Pa. His greatest academic joy, however, was graduating from Calvin College (now University) and Seminary.
After ordination in 1958, Stoutmeyer served Prospect Park (N. J.) Christian Reformed Church. He went on to pastor the following congregations: Calvin CRC (now called Foundation Church), Holland, Mich.; Elmhurst (Ill.) CRC; New Hope Community, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Faith CRC, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Coopersville (Mich.) CRC; and Bethany CRC, South Holland, Ill. While in Holland, Mich., Stoutmeyer was the minister of the daily radio program "At the Master's Feet.”
Delegated to synod several times, he served as a synodical deputy, was stated clerk of several classes (regional assemblies), and on the Calvin College board of trustees and the board of what was then called World Missions (now a part of Resonate Global Mission). He obtained certification in clinical pastoral education from MacNeal Memorial Hospital in Berwyn, Ill.
Following retirement in 1997, the Stoutmeyers enjoyed 17 consecutive winters in Haines City, Fla., where he preached at Lake Alfred Ministry and the nondenominational Central Park II Chapel, which he and his wife founded.
If he wasn’t a preacher, Stoutmeyer said, he’d have been a florist, and he shared his love of flowers with everyone he knew. He also spent countless hours volunteering at the World Bible League Thrift Shop.
He is survived by Barbara, his loving wife of 66 years; two children and spouses; 10 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.
About the Author
A former nurse and chaplain, Janet Greidanus is a freelance news correspondent and long-time writer of the In Memoriam column for The Banner.
