Burdett Alex “Al” Stout loved sharing stories of all the miracles God performed during his battle with cancer over the past couple of years.  The last and greatest miracle of healing came on December 30, 2021, when he was forever healed as he passed through death into eternal life with Christ.

Al was born on August 6, 1948, to Carol and Maxine Stout of Stanwood, Michigan.  The third of three children, Al grew up working in his parents' cherry orchards.  After he left home, he worked at General Motors for a couple of years and then went into banking where he worked primarily in commercial lending for 43 years.

Al had many interests and hobbies.  He loved hunting, boating, antiquing and sports.  He spent many years refereeing, umpiring and coaching various basketball and baseball teams.  He was particularly fond of his time as one of the assistant coaches for the men’s basketball team at Grace Christian University (formerly Grace Bible College) from 2011-2016 during which time they won two National Championships.  During his early years of coaching baseball, one of his players needed their mitt repaired so Al took it home and taught himself how to restring it delivering it back the next day in mint condition.  From that point forward, players brought their mitts to him for repairs, and he became affectionally known as “the glove man.”

In spite of all these worldly pleasures and accomplishments, Al would be the first to tell you none of it brought him true fulfillment.  It wasn’t until June of 2019, that in desperation and with a repentant heart (like the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32), Al turned back to the Heavenly Father he learned about as a child hoping for a few scraps of love and forgiveness.  Instead, he was met with overwhelming love, mercy and grace as God came running toward him with open arms proclaiming, “Let’s have a feast and celebrate.  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” (Luke 15:23-24).  Al was so transformed by God’s love and grace, he couldn’t even be deterred by a diagnosis of terminal cancer just 4 short months later.  In fact, after being told he only had 2-4 months to live without treatment, Al said, “Well, I win either way.  I get to stay here with my family and friends a little longer or I get to go home to be with Jesus."

Al is survived by his sister, Lexie (DeWayne) Coxon; his brother, Gary (Carolyn) Stout; daughter, Kim (Richard) Bradshaw; granddaughters, Emerson and Ava Ross; Matt (Mieke) Botsford and Jason (Lisa) Botsford who were like sons to him and their children - Grace, Aiden, Matthew, Jack and Sara; several nieces and nephews and their children; as well as special friends, Joe and Sally Hart.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 7, 2022, at Magnify Church – Ensley, 7077 E. 120^th St., Sand Lake, MI. Burial will be in the Stanwood Cemetery. Al’s family will greet friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., Thursday, January 6 at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations in Al’s name to one of these two organizations: DeColores Ministries of Grand Rapids https://decoloresgr.org/donate/ Al attended a DeColores weekend the summer of 2019 and came to know Jesus Christ in a personal and powerful way through that experience.  He left that weekend a completely transformed man and was passionate about this ministry and sharing it with others. The Al Stout Legacy Scholarship Fund - Another Beautiful Mess https://anotherbeautifulmess.com/donate/ Al was equally passionate about the Christian Coaching business his daughter, Kim, started called Another Beautiful Mess.  This ministry helps struggling women and girls find healing and hope again.  Al faithfully donated to help cover start up costs and eventually a scholarship fund was created in his name to cover some of the membership fees for those who may not otherwise be able to afford it.

Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.