Obituary of Dr. Virgil R. Trout

Dr. Virgil R. Trout, age 89, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, August 16, 2016, at Ardmore, Okla. Memorial services to celebrate his life will be held at 6:00 PM, Saturday evening, August 27, 2016, at the Plainview Activity Center, 1140 S. Plainview Road, Ardmore, Okla. He was born on July 29, 1927, in Pooleville, Okla., to Harry C. and Annie Trout. Dr. Trout received two doctorate degrees: a Doctor of Laws Degree from Pepperdine University and a Doctor of Divinity Degree from Oklahoma Christian College. He was widely regarded as one of the top speakers of the 20th Century, speaking across the globe in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Canada, and in 44 different states. During his career, he had delivered speeches at over 1/3 of the major universities in the United States, including Harvard and MIT. Dr. Trout was first and foremost a minister of the Word of God. He delivered sermons from the pulpits of many churches across the country and throughout the world. His calling in life was to “go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15), which he did with incredible faithfulness and dedication through many different avenues, including press, radio, and television. Dr. Trout baptized countless souls into the Church, including his own parents. Dr. Trout had been serving most recently as full-time minister at the Ringling Church of Christ since 2001, as well as being the community minister for the Church of Christ on Merrick Drive in Ardmore, Okla. He was a living example of faithfulness and study of God’s word, having missed only seven Sunday services in the last 63 years of preaching. He attended more than 1100 sporting events, hosting meals, and providing David’s sunflower seeds, bubble gum, and Hersey’s chocolate bars to all athletes in Plainview and Ringling High Schools and their opposing teams. Dr. Trout was an avid sports fan and had a sincere love of people, communicating well with all age groups, especially with youth. He touched thousands of lives through word and action, and was a true light in our increasingly dark world. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry C. and Annie Trout; his sister, Caroline; and a son, Johnathan Allen Trout. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Gwen; his son, Richard Trout and wife, Mavis, of Amarillo, Texas; two granddaughters, Kristen Cooper and husband, Casey, of Amarillo, Texas, and Keely Clark and husband, David, of McKinney, Texas; brother-in-law, Joe Zorger and wife, Ninette, of Tuttle, Okla.; niece, Jo Karen Wolfe of Tuttle, Okla.; six great-grandchildren, and many brothers and sisters in the Churches of Christ. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to one of the following organizations: Timothy Hill Children Ranch | www.timothyhill.org | 298 Middle Road, Riverhead NY 11901; Pettijohn Springs Christian Camp | www.pettihohnsprings.com | P.O. Box 440, Madill, OK 73446; Westview Boys Home | www.westviewboyshome.com | P.O. Box 553, Hollis, OK 73550; Tipton Children’s Home | www.tiptonchildrenshome.com | P.O. Box 370, Tipton, OK 73570