Dr. Joseph Fendall Outten

Dr. Joseph Fendall Outten died peacefully on Sunday, May 23, 2021 at the age of 92. He was born in Lynchburg, Virginia to Dr. and Mrs. Clarence F. Outten. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth, Virginia in 1945, from Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) with a B.S. in Biology in 1949 and the Medical College of Virginia in 1954. He served in the U.S. Air Force and was discharged as a Captain in 1956. After serving at Donaldson Air Force Base in Greenville, S.C., he set up a private dental practice in Greenville with his lifelong friends, Dr. George P. Hoffman, Dr. Eugene Armstrong, Dr. Graham “Bucky” Bennett, and Dr. Pete Hoffman. He was proud to be a member of the Greenville County dental community, and considered it among the very best in the country. He made many mission trips to Haiti, providing dental care to those who, otherwise, had no access to care. As Joe neared retirement, he continued his passion for dentistry by helping found the Free Dental Clinic. Later, he continued his commitment to the dental community by co-founding, with his daughter, the Dental Advocacy Group, a company focused on helping private dental practices improve their profitability.

Joe, as he was affectionately known, was joyously partnered in life with Mildred Lacey Wright. They married in 1952 and spent 63 years together raising their four children, walking the beach on Hilton Head Island and traveling the world together. Joe often referred to Millie as the most special person in his life. They shared a devout faith and were active members of St. Michael’s Lutheran Church. Whether it was serving on Church Council or helping cook at the Men’s Breakfast or leading fundraising committees, Joe was a stalwart at St. Michael’s.

Joe was an active volunteer and received many accolades and awards for his community service. Among them being the Head Start Section, State & National Humanitarian Award, YMCA Service to Youth Award, Sertoma International Service to Mankind Award, UT Prosim Society of Virginia Tech Award, Volunteer of the Year for the Free Medical Clinic, and South Carolina’s highest honor, the Order of the Palmetto. He was recognized by the American Dental Association for his significant contributions to increasing access to comprehensive dental care for populations most in need. He sat on the Board of Directors for the United Way, YMCA, Speech & Hearing Center, Free Medical Clinic and the Greenville Country Club.

Joe was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and uncle. He was a loyal friend and a loyal fan of Jack Daniels. He loved playing golf and tennis and sailing in the ocean. He laughed often and almost always had a mischievous grin on his face. He worked hard and played hard. But he will be most fondly and famously remembered with the love of his life, Millie, by his side.

Joe was predeceased by his wife, Millie. He is survived by his son, Joseph “Jeff” F. Outten, Jr. and his husband, John B. Brigham, his granddaughter Lacey Outten, daughter, Mary Cornelia Outten, son, Samuel Wright Outten and his wife Jenny, grandchildren Anna and Caroline Outten, and Patrick and Lilly Champion, son Thomas Hobson “Hobby” Outten and his wife Patty and grandchildren, Joseph, Miller, Canon, MaryElise Outten; John, Brian, and Dennis Kean. He also survived by Betty Jones, his great friend and companion.

Joe and his family greatly appreciated his loving and wonderful caregivers, Shay Forward, Tangie Carter, and Ingrid Davis. The family would also like to express much gratitude to the Lutheran Hospice for their extraordinary care and support.

A celebration of Joe’s life will be held on Thursday, May 27, 2021 from 5:30 until 8:00 p.m. at the home of Sam and Jenny Outten, 809 McDaniel Ave., to which friends are welcome. A private family funeral will be held at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Greenville Free Medical Clinic, 600 Arlington Ave., Greenville, SC 29601, or to St. Michael’s Seminary Scholarship Fund, which was created in memory of Millie Outten, 2619 Augusta St., Greenville, SC 29605.