Obituary
Durwood Allen Outlaw, Sr. born August 29th, 1937, in Mount Olive, North Carolina to William Allen Outlaw and Henrietta Southerland Millard, passed away peacefully and with family at his side on September 4th, 2023 in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Durwood attended B.F Grady School, then joined the US Airforce at Seymour Johnson in Goldsboro, NC. He was stationed at Welford RAF base in England. After the Airforce, Mr. Outlaw moved to New Smyrna Beach, about 1960, and was the manager of the Standard Oil Station on US 1. It was here that he met Susan Harden, his wife of 59 years, who predeceased him in 2020. They married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on April 9th, 1961. In 1970, while working with McDonell-Douglas, Durwood sustained serious injury when an ignition device exploded in the TO-CO Plant final assembly room. In 1973, Durwood and Susan established D & S Fruit & Gifts in the (former) Harbor Oaks area of what is now Port Orange. Additionally, Durwood was an expert at repairing vintage gasoline pumps. Tinkering with mechanical and electrical equipment was a favorite pastime. He was a big, strong man with big, strong hands. Loved Johnny Cash and Hank Williams, and was a lifelong proud Democrat. He raised and lowered the American flag every day. Durwood and Susan retired in 2006, moving to New Smyrna Beach. In retirement, he was a member of the Elks and served as Chaplain.
Survivors include three children Durwood Allen Outlaw, Jr. (Tammy) Floral City, FL; Catherine Diane Outlaw (Christopher), Montclair, NJ; Stefanie Elizabeth Outlaw, New Smyrna Beach, FL. Grandchildren Catherine Nicole Baker, Boynton Beach, FL; Lisa Diane (Michael) Campana, Chappaqua, NY; Maureen Susan Outlaw, New Smyrna Beach, FL; and Durwood Allen Outlaw III, San Antonio, TX. Sisters Etta Lois Outlaw Shiver, Goldsboro, NC; Margaret Jean Outlaw Byrd, Mount Olive, NC; and Mary Magdelene Outlaw Jones, Pompano Beach, FL. Great-grandson Cameron, Chappaqua, NY, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, of several generations.
Durwood was predeceased by his parents, and siblings Emma Lucille, Ellis Ray, Annie Ruth, Bessie Mae, and John Robert; nephews Otha Allen Outlaw and John Michael Blonder, and niece Kimberly Jean Kornegay.
Graveside service shall take place at 12:30 PM Monday, October 23rd, 2023, at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in North Mims, Florida. Memorial service for Durwood Outlaw is scheduled for October 28th in Mount Olive, North Carolina, home to eight generations of Outlaw ancestors.
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What do you think a dad is all about
To be sure his family isn’t without,
He’s the one to put a roof above
True Grit was what Durwood Outlaw was made of.
A North Carolina boy deep in his soul
And an Outlaw from the start
Beginnings don’t always come from books
They come from teachings of the heart
Hard working since the day he was born
Flew high with USAF
He met his love Susan at a service station
Had Durwood, Cathy and Stef
A son, a brother, a husband, a father,
an uncle, and brother in law
Throw in Johnny Cash, a bit of John Wayne, some country and a little Hee Haw!
He was all these things and so much more, his grandchildren were his pride and joy.
But most recently was being called Papa by his new great grand baby boy.
The best testament to this wonderful man
is that he’d “walk the line” for the love of his beautiful wife Susan.
So much so that with his thumb of green,
Developed a hybrid rose that was fit for his queen
Together they are now
never to part
Together as they were
right from the start.
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