BRIDGEVILLE - Dr. Booker T. Outland, Sr., DVM passed away peacefully on May 8, 2018 at Lofland Park in Seaford.
Born in Greene County, Ala. on Nov. 24, 1931, Booker was the son of the late Ace Outland and Irene (Boatwright) Outland. He attended Alabama A&M University on a football scholarship before enlisting in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He received his undergraduate degree in Animal Husbandry from Michigan State where he met his wife, Mary. Booker and Mary returned to Alabama where Booker graduated from Tuskegee University with a degree in Veterinary Medicine. Mary and Booker married in 1960. After graduating, he worked for the United States Department of Agriculture and was assigned to the Delmarva Peninsula. Dr. Outland established Bridgeville Animal Hospital in 1966 where he practiced veterinary medicine for over 40 years. Booker was a proud founding charter member of Delta Gamma Sigma Chapter Phi Beta Sigma. He had 64 years of service with the Fraternity. Dr. Outland was a positive influence on the Bridgeville community. He employed numerous youths from the area, giving many their first job opportunity. Additionally, Booker was a member of the John H. Porter First State Chapter Tuskegee Airmen. He was an excellent role model and mentor to many.
Dr. Outland was an avid gardener, golfer, fisherman and hunter who could always be found outdoors "playing in the dirt". At one time his designed a putting green in his back yard complete with creeping bent grass. He fished the Chesapeake Bay and enjoyed traveling with his family.
Booker was predeceased by his son, Booker Jr. He will be dearly missed by his wife of 58 years, Mary (Myhand) Outland; and his daughters, Vivian R. Scott (Craig) of Newark and Denise Outland of Wilmington. Booker will be remembered as a kind compassionate husband, father and friend.
Visitation will be held at the Bennie Smith Funeral Home, 437 N. Front Street, Seaford, DE 19973 on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 5 p.m. Interment will be in Opelika, Ala. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Vitas Hospice. Professional services entrusted to Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Seaford.