Tom Stout, Sr. died Nov. 26 surrounded by his family. He was 83.
Stout was born April 23, 1928 in Shickshinny, Pa. to Harry and Mable Stout and grew up the second of three children.
Stout served in the Korean War and then went to work for Trans World Airlines for 26 years. During his time with the airline, Stout moved his family to Colorado and then to Southern California, where he never left. He is known for being the first person to develop the idea of concierge travel services for Hollywood while working for TWA.
In September 1975 Stout bought a small “mom and pop” travel store in Beverly Hills and created a large privately owned travel business, Hoffman Travel.
“Tom made his mark in the travel business, especially among celebrities, not only with his concierge travel services but by standing by his motto ‘Never Say No’ and making the impossible possible when it came to his clients and their requests,” Stout’s family wrote of his business.
Stout sold Hoffman Travel in 1997 and became an active member of the Malibu community. He enjoyed his retirement as he traveled and spent time with his family, particularly enjoying the time he spent with his grandchildren.
Stout is survived by his sister Charlotte Walsh of Hagerstown, Md.; son Tom Stout, Jr.; daughters Cheryl Ann Krug, Karen Harvey, Susie Spizer, Asia Lunsford, Kimberly Golden and Courtney Stout; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; and his nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will take place Mon., Dec. 12, in Malibu at 11 a.m. For more information regarding the memorial service, please e-mail tom@tomstout.info.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the City of Hope (www.cityofhope.org).