Charles Lawerance Tout

In Loving Memory of Charles Lawerance “Larry” Tout

Charles Lawerance “Larry” Tout, 79, of Watauga, Texas, was born November 18, 1946, in Fort Worth, Texas, to Elbert Henry “Bud” Tout and Ida Elizabeth “Beth” Dickerson. Larry slipped away peacefully in the early morning hours of August 27, 2026.

Larry graduated from Arlington Heights High School in 1965, where he played JV basketball. He was always into sports and remained a loyal Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers fan throughout his life. If the Cowboys scored, those watching with Larry were likely to hear his familiar, “Hot damn!” And if something was done particularly poorly, it was simply “piss poor.” 

Larry worked several jobs in his younger years, including as a tool maker, Pizza Hut manager, and truck driver for FSI, Best Products, and Chemical Express. He eventually began his long career with General Dynamics, later Lockheed Martin, where he worked for more than 30 years. He was proud of the work he did, but what he valued most were the relationships he built with the people at the plant. His plant buddies remained important to him throughout his life.

Larry was a hard worker. Before retirement, he was up at 5:00 every morning and headed off to work. He believed in taking care of your family and doing what needed to be done. As a father, he busted his butt to make sure his children were taken care of. He could be strict, but there was a reason behind it: he wanted his children to learn how to make their own way in the world.

He was also a man who could figure out how to do just about anything. If something needed fixing, building, or figuring out, Larry would find a way. Over the years he built many things and worked on countless projects. He especially loved working on old cars. Later in life, he took up painting and discovered that he was quite good at it. One of the things he was especially proud of was the little chuckwagon he built for his beloved wife, Linda.

Larry was a jokester and loved good-natured ribbing. He enjoyed telling stories, teasing people, grilling, watching sports, and simply being around family and friends. He could be stubborn, too. Once Larry had his mind made up, there was NO talking him out of it.

In his younger years, when he got angry, he might blow up. As he got older, he learned to count to ten or sometimes just say, “Enough, people.” But no matter how mad he might get, he never gave up on anyone. He could be disappointed or frustrated, but his love never changed.

Larry loved his family unconditionally. His family was what he was most proud of, along with his beloved “Reds.” 

Larry and Linda were married on February 10, 1990, in the living room of their home. Linda brought out the best in him, and Larry needed his “Reds.” He was lost when she couldn’t be around for a few days.

They enjoyed doing both big and little things together. They danced at the Treehouse while dating, rode their motorcycle together, took spontaneous trips, and sometimes simply headed to Dairy Queen in Rhome for an ice cream cone. They especially enjoyed riding up to the German restaurant in Muenster, Texas. Larry only rode with a select group of friends and family, making those rides something special.

Larry loved motorcycles, old cars, and anything that gave him a chance to work with his hands. He was especially fond of his orange Goldwing trike and his Dodge. He also enjoyed cooking/trying new foods, although he had his staples, and was known to eat cereal in the middle of the night. The cereal changed; the habit never did.

Music was another part of Larry’s life. He listened to Frankie Valli, the Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, Bread, and all the music he grew up with. He also had a playful way of showing his knowledge of the people he loved. His family still remembers the personalized ringtones he chose for them based on their personalities.

Larry loved bringing people together. One of his favorite things was getting as many family members as possible together at a pizza place. He loved the noise, the stories, the teasing, and simply having his people around him.

He became a devoted dog lover. His dogs Shadow, Rocky, and Moozie have passed on, and their latest Penelope is spoiled rotten.

Larry’s love of family extended through generations. He was a great dad, but with his grandchildren he became a big softie. Watching Larry turn to mush around the grandkids and great-grandkids was something his family treasured.

Larry called his first granddaughter, Tara, “Punkin.” Before long, Tara started calling him Punkin too, and the name stuck with the grandkids who came after her. To his sons, he was “Pop,” and to his daughter Teri, he was always “Daddy.”

Larry is survived by his beloved wife, Linda “Reds”; his children, Anthony “Tony” Tout, Teri Tout, Glenn Tout, and Jason Tout; his grandchildren, Tara, Amanda, Thomas, Stormy, Courtney, Christina, Katherine “Kat,” and Elizabeth “Bitsy”; his great-grandchildren, Desmond, Taylor, Jordan, Haven, Thomus Jr., Evangeline “Evie,” Micah, Magnolia “Noli,” Cameron, Finn and Logan; and his great-great-grandchild, Eziah.

He is also survived by his sisters Ann, Teri, and Mary, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and countless friends who loved him.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Elbert Henry “Bud” Tout, who passed August 23, 1986, and Ida Elizabeth “Beth” Dickerson Tout, who passed May 11, 1997; his siblings Jeanie, Mike, and Tim; and his stepson, Larry Turner.

Larry was a direct descendant of Collin McKinney through his maternal grandmother, Beulah “Granny” McKinney, carrying with him a family history that stretched back generations.

Larry’s relationship with faith was complicated. His early religious experiences pushed him away. In the last few years of his life, however, he began finding his own way back. He developed a quiet, personal, one-on-one relationship with God and began praying privately more often.

Larry leaves behind the example of a man who worked hard, took care of his people, fixed what he could fix, built what he could build, laughed often, loved deeply, and never gave up on his family.

He would want his family to stay close, keep gathering, keep telling stories, keep laughing, and most of all, keep taking care of his Reds.

He was deeply loved, and he will be deeply missed.

Service information pending.