Jim Stout Grills His Way to the Spirit of Texoma Award
By: Gwyn Bevel
Updated: April 25, 2012
BACK IN THE SIXTIES JIM STOUT WAS JUST A YOUNG BOY, BUT HE WAS ALREADY SMOKING AND COOKING AND FUNDRAISING AT AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY BBQ'S.
NOW JIM SAYS AFTER ALL THESE YEARS THAT SPIRIT STILL LIVES IN HIM, WHICH IS WHY HE CONTINUES TO LEND HIS EXPERT GRILLING HANDS TO FOLKS IN NEED.
FOR DONATING ALL OF HIS TIME AND TALENTS WE HONOR JIM AS THIS MONTH'S SPIRIT OF TEXOMA AWARD WINNER.
IN SEYMOUR IF JIM STOUT ISNT OUT IN THE FIELD YOU CAN USUALLY FIND HIM IN HIS SHOP WHERE HE SAYS, "THE MAGIC HAPPENS".
Jim Stout says, "I don't guess I ever worked on very much of anything that was clean out here in the field, just dirt."
Stout comments, "Come on out here and let's look at this smoker tractor that is not built."
JIM IS ALWAYS WORKING ON SEVERAL PROJECTS.
Stout says, "So we'll have a three wheel iron wheel smoker tractor and hopefully in Sept. it will be ready to go. That is my due date for it...I've got to see it run."
He laughs as he comments, "When I have a chance to do something like this, this is completely different than everyday ordinary things."
Stout says, "This machine is powered by a 20 horse power air cooled engine and has an electric start and has four forward gears and reverse."
HE BUILT THIS COOKER FROM A 1936 MODEL F-20 FARMALL TRACTOR AND JIM AND HIS TRACTOR HAVE SURE PLOWED THROUGH A LOT OF RIBS AND COVERED A LOT OF MILES SINCE.
Stout says, "My weakness is my stomach I enjoy the looks on people's faces, they take one bite and they know that is one of the better things they have eaten out there...just find a niche and get in it."
THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT JIM STOUT DID...HE NOW TRAVELS ALL OVER TEXOMA TO FIRE UP THE FARMALL.
WHEN THE ENTIRE TOWN OF SEYMOUR RALLIED AROUND A YOUNG GIRL BATTLING LEUKEMIA...
JIM WAS RIGHT THERE BRINGING IN DONATIONS FOR BRILEY HOSTAS...
Stout comments, "Raised a good bit of money for Briley's cause and I hear she is doing a whole lot better and that is what matters."
A YOUNG BOY FROM OLNEY WHO WAS BADLY BURNED IS ALSO MAKING STRIDES.
JIM HAD NEVER MET HIM WHEN HE STARTED COOKING FOR A CLAY FITE FUNDRAISER.
Stout says, "I still haven't met Clay, but we went over on a cold day there in Olney and helped raise a good bit bit of money to fund him and back and forth to the burn center and things the family could use at that time."
JIM ALSO BUILT A GRILL OUT OF A V-8 ENGINE FROM THE GROUND UP.
IT SITS ON A JOHN DEERE CHASSIS.
THIS UNIQUE SMOKER REVVED UP MAJOR FUNDS FOR THE ARC OF WICHITA COUNTY AT THE ANNUAL BOOT SCOOTIN' BOOGIE...A CAUSE HE ALREADY HAS ANOTHER PROJECT IN MIND FOR.
JIM ALSO FIRED UP HIS GRILL TO BRING IN FUNDS FOR THE GLEN EICKMAN VETERANS MEMORIAL PAVILION.
EICKMAN LOST HIS BATTLE WITH CANCER IN NOVEMBER, BUT HAD ALREADY STARTED THE GROUNDWORK FOR THE PROJECT AT WICHITA COUNTY CEMETERY.
JIM RAISED OVER 11-HUNDRED DOLLARS TO HELP HONOR A MAN HE OFTEN SAW AT THE BAYLOR COUNTY COURTHOUSE.
Stout says, "I got to see him for about 9 or 10 months last year twice a month. I enjoyed visiting with him and talking to him and he made a big impact on this area with our vets and their causes."
ITS PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE THAT HAS KEPT THE FIRE BURNING INSIDE JIM TO TRAVEL AROUND TEXOMA AND DO HIS PART TO HELP.....
Stout comments, "There have been a lot of folks who have been good to me in my lifetime and I am in a position now that I can give back to others a little bit."
AND THAT LITTLE BIT GOES A LONG WAY SINCE JIM AND HIS WIFE CYNTHIA, WHO HE CALLS THE BOSS, HAVE A TRACTOR.
Stout laughs and says, "Yeah, that's a go getter, isn't it!"
...AND ARE WILLING TO TRAVEL TO SHARE THE SPIRIT.
JIM KEEPS AN ANCIENT CAST IRON POT THAT HAS BEEN ON HIS FAMILY'S LAND SINCE 1885 TO REMIND HIM OF THE WAY THINGS USED TO BE.
JIM ALSO STAYS BUSY AS A COUNTY COMMISSIONER...AND SAYS THAT HAS OPENDED DOORS TO HELP PRESERVE PIECES OF HISTORY NESTLED IN BAYLOR COUNTY.
OWENS AND BRUMLEY FUNERAL HOMES CONGRATULATE JIM ON HIS HONOR..
IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS TRULY MAKING A DIFFERENCE NOMINATE THEM NOW.
