John Marett Outz
Laurens, South Carolina
John Marett Outz passed away peacefully at his home on May 15, 2025. He was the son of the late Marett Larkin Outz and the late Frances Edwards Outz.
He was a 1966 graduate of Laurens High School. He first attended Anderson Junior College where he played baseball. He was a devout Bulldog, graduating from the University of Georgia in 1970. John was drafted during the Vietnam era and served in the Army soon after graduating college. He was one of the fortunate soldiers who served state side. He later earned a master’s and an Education Specialist degree (EdS) from the University of Georgia.
John was an educator by profession. He not only taught physical education, but he walked the life of someone physically fit, rarely wavering from that mindset until his illness, a short six months ago. He was dedicated to his routine of weightlifting and walking. He ran the Atlanta Peachtree Road Race for 42 years. In his career, he taught physical education in the Atlanta area for several years and Laurens District 55 for most of his career.
He was a self-taught educator of the outdoors. One of his favorite things in life was deer and turkey hunting. He also enjoyed all of the off-season preparation for those hunting seasons. He shared his knowledge and passion of fitness and the outdoors with his family and friends.
John is survived by his sister, Laura Outz Dennie along with his nieces, Joy Roberson, Julie Askew (Jim), Nancy Knotts (Tony), and Elizabeth Franklin (Kevin). He is also survived by many special great nieces, nephews, and a strong and caring group of friends. He was predeceased by a sister, Jane Outz Askew, a nephew, Joseph Duane Dennie, and a brother-in-law, Duane Dennie. The last two weeks of his life, he received the best care from Clemie, Lisa, Laurice, Irene, Ann, Gladys, Patricia, and Ardvae for whom our family is forever grateful.
John was a member of First Baptist Church of Laurens and loved the communities of Maddens and New Prospect.
A graveside service will be held on Monday, May 19, 2025, at 1:00 pm at Westview Memorial Park, conducted by Rev. Phil Hall, Rev. Tim Marsh, and Rev. Adair Rogers. The family will receive friends at the cemetery immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Coach Duane Dennie Scholarship Fund, Laurens County School District 55, 301 Hillcrest Drive, Laurens, SC 29360.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.thekennedymortuary.com
