Nathan Charles Strout Sr.

WEST GARDINER – Nathan Charles Strout Sr., a.k.a. “Charlie”, 82, passed away at his home on Oct. 7, 2021. He has left us, but his smiling eyes, infectious grin, and enthusiastic fun-loving spirit will always remain in our hearts.

He was born in Lewiston on Jan. 17, 1939, to Kenneth and Florence Strout and was raised in Livermore by his foster family, Stilman and Edna Bryant and their children, Priscilla, and Elton. Nathan/Charlie attended Livermore Falls High School graduating in 1958. His formal education at the Universities of Hawaii and Maine and at the Auburn School of Commerce.

He joined the Army in 1958 serving his two-year active-duty tour in Hawaii as a member of the Honor Guard. He was honorably discharged from the reserves in 1964.

He worked for Snow’s appliance, Carter Milling, and retired from Blue Seal Feeds in 2003 after 35 years. He truly enjoyed working with the hundreds of farm families he visited, often surprising them with a dozen doughnuts and always hoping for a quick but vigorous game of pick-up basketball.

He was blessed with three sons from a prior marriage: Nathan Jr., Dennis, and Timothy, whom he adored. He also was a great stepfather to Jan’s two daughters, Robin, and Tamara, and loved them as his own. He loved being Grampa and enjoyed every minute he had with each of his grandchildren: Elizabeth, Ethan, Jasmine, Katie, Kenny, and Sydney.

When Nathan met his wife, Jan, 45 years ago, the two became inseparable companions. His great joy was embracing his “Jana” on the dance floor and dancing the night away.

Nathan/Charlie had an innate athletic prowess which included strength, finesse, and bull’s eye accuracy. He had a steal trap memory, the gift of recitation and a quick wit. These skills, accomplished with his competitiveness and love of sports, were central to his being.

Nathan has left behind a void that thankfully will be filled with happy memories of the fun he brought into the lives of those who knew him. He was a man who loved his wife, his life, his family, and he loved having fun.

He is preceded in death by his birth parents Kenneth Strout and Florence Pugsley Edwards; brothers Kenneth, and Robert Strout; foster parents Stilman and Edna Bryant; foster siblings Elton Bryant, and Priscilla Newton; good friends; father and mother-in-law, George and Betty Skillin; niece, Jennifer Gurney; and his beloved dog, Tuttie. Nathan/Charlie is survived by his wife and best friend, Jan; his sons Nathan Jr. (Tanya) of Monmouth, Dennis (Diane) of Kennebunk, Timothy of Rockland, stepdaughters Robin Leeman (Stephen) of Cumberland and Tamara Geyer of Gardiner; grandchildren, Jasmine, Katelyn, Kenneth, and Sydney Strout, and his special step-grandchildren, Elizabeth Pierce Theriault (Matthew) and Ethan Pierce with whom he had a very close relationship, often referring to them as his children; two nieces, Stefanie Jenson of Kingfield, and Julie Perez of Texas; sisters-in-law, Diann Strout (Robert) of Texas, Carolyn Read-Sweeney (Dick) of Falmouth, brother-in-law, George Skillin (Rosemary) of Gorham; and many Skillin/Read extended family members.

Messages of condolence may be sent to: http://www.finleyfuneralhome.com and http://www.nathanstrout.com.

A funeral service with full military honors will be held 11 a.m., on Thursday, Oct. 14, at BRAGDON-FINLEY FUNERAL HOME, 707 Main St., Monmouth. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 13, at the funeral home. Interment at Cherry Hill Cemetery, High Street, West Gardiner.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Nathan Charles Strout’s memory to the

Boys and Girls Clubs of Kennebec Valley,

by mail:

P.O. Box 96

Gardiner, ME 04345,

or online: http://www.bgckv.org