GOUT, CAREN PARKER passed into the loving arms of our Lord and Savior on August 18, 2018. The daughter of the late Hervey E. and Renee D. Parker, Caren was born on June 12, 1946 in Chicago, Illinois. Five years later she moved with her family to Mansfield, Ohio. Caren graduated from Lexington HS and received her BA in English and Psychology with a minor in Education from Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio. While at Ashland Caren was named to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities because of her academic excellence and extra-curricular activities. She was a varsity cheerleader; a member of Kappa Delta Pi education honorary society; corresponding secretary of her sorority, Alpha Phi; a senior Homecoming attendant; Phi Kappa Psi fraternity sweetheart; and Dean's List member. After graduation, Caren joined the Ontario School System as an 8th grade Language Arts teacher and in 1976 moved to Coshocton, Ohio where she was a College Prep English teacher for grades 10 and 11 at River View HS.. She was also actively involved with the students at both schools as a class advisor and cheerleading advisor. In 1981, Caren relocated to Orlando where she was hired by General Mills Restaurant Group (now Darden Restaurants) as executive secretary to the Group VP, Personnel. She was promoted to HR Employment Representative and spent the majority of her 24-year career doing corporate staffing and MBA recruiting. While in the business world, Caren re-connected with her love of teaching by managing and volunteering in Darden's Junior Achievement Program. During this time, she was also asked to join a task force to develop a networking program to connect businesses with un- or under-employed people. This task force grew into the Central Florida Employment Council, which boasts over 900 HR members and has helped thousands of people find jobs. Caren remained on their Board for over 7 years and also served on the Board of Christian HELP, a faith-based organization dedicated to assisting Central Florida families in need. She remained an active contributor until her death. Besides her strong desire to help people, Caren loved dogs, and Mia, Lexa, Alex, Duffy, ad Daisy were her treasures in her life. After she retired in 2005 she volunteered for Poodle and Pooch Rescue, fostering, transporting, and finally becoming a Board member managing the group's monies and correspondence. In 2002 while playing golf, her favorite sport since childhood, Caren met the love of her life, Jerry Gout, a retired army major. They married in 2004, and Caren became an instant "mom" to four wonderful stepchildren and "BaBa" to 17 fabulous grandchildren. Caren loved the Lord and was a member of Northland Church. She is survived by her devoted, loving husband Jerry, her sister Linda Kispert (Don), her nephew Steven Kispert (Hollie), four step children: Rudy Gout (Krystee), Sonja Gout (Cindi), Heidi Shurtz (Thomas) and Kelly Walker (Kendall), as well as 17 step grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on September 4, at 4 pm at the National Cremation Funeral Home, 7565 Red Bug Lake Rd, Oviedo, FL 32765. Memorial contributions can be made to Christian HELP, 450 Seminola Blvd., Casselberry, FL 32707 or Poodle and Pooch Rescue, P.O. Box 781951, Orlando, FL 32878.
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