The Rev. Dr. Gerald S. Troutman, 78, of Newnan, formerly of Atlanta, died Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, at Piedmont Newnan Hospital. The memorial service will be Saturday, Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 731 Peachtree St., NE, Atlanta, GA. The family will receive friends at the church 12:30-2 prior to the service. Parking is available in the church lots off Fourth Street and in the parking deck at 715 Peachtree Street, accessible from Third Street.
The Rev. Troutman was born in Andrews, N.C., to the Rev. and Mrs. Edwin Nosker Troutman. He attended Appalachian Elementary and High School in Boone, N.C., where he enjoyed and excelled in sports and music. A football scholarship enabled him to graduate from Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, N.C. Other educational endeavors included an M.Div., Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, S.C.; CPE Georgia Baptist Medical Center, Atlanta; and D.MIN, Candler School of Theology, Emory University.
He served as pastor of congregations in Greeneville, Tenn., and Atlanta; secretary, president and bishop of the Southeastern Synod of the Lutheran Church in America; staff, Division for Ministry and Synodical Relations of the ELCA; director of development Lutheran Ministries of Georgia; served as interim/transition pastor in eight congregations, including the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Atlanta, St. Timothy in Forest Park, Ga., and Advent Lutheran Church in LaGrange, Ga. He was elected in 2009 by the SE Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America as bishop emeritus.
He was listed in Who’s Who in Atlanta and America; Doctor of Divinity, Newberry College; 50th Anniversary Preacher on the “Protestant Hour” (now “Day One”); national judge, “The American Mother of the Year Contest”; Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary’s “Dr. J. Luther Mauney Leadership Award”; grand marshal, City of Newnan July Fourth Parade; served on many boards of directors; Lenoir-Rhyne University Alumnus of the Year Award (2009).
In the community he was proud to serve as chaplain for the police and fire departments; PTA president, Little and Youth League football and baseball coach; the Civic Association Board; host of weekly television program; member of the Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce, Community Foundation and Keith Brooking Children’s Foundation Board; and was a graduate of Leadership Coweta. He served as a volunteer at the Newnan Health and Fitness Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, The Rev. Edwin Nosker Troutman. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Marihope Shirey Troutman; three children, Gerald Stevenson Troutman Jr. (Miriam), Lee Shirey Troutman (Nan), and Frances Troutman Harris (Steve); grandchildren, Kathleen Shirey Troutman, Mary Turner Troutman, Lawson Brown Harris, Isabelle Harris, Lee Russell Troutman and Steven Grady Troutman.
Condolences can be sent to the family online at www.mckoon.com .
Rather than flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Fund for Leaders, P.O. Box 71764, Chicago, Ill., 60694-1764 or www.elca.org .
McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory, 770-253-4580, is in charge of the arrangements.
