Robert Lewis Outlaw

Mr. Robert Lewis Outlaw, 73, of Thomasville, passed away Monday, May 29, 2017 at his residence.

Born May 6, 1944, in High Point, Robert was the son of the late Joseph and Margaret Outlaw. He owned and operated Blue Dolphin Dive Shop in Winston-Salem and the Blue Stone Dive Resort in Thomasville.

Robert Outlaw was known as "Bob Outlaw" in the Scuba Diving Industry..where he was a Member of the DEMA (Diving Equipment Manufactures Association).  Bob Outlaw created the First  P.A.D.I. (Professional Association of Dive Instructors)

Five Star Dive Facility in the State of North Carolina. His Business "The Blue Dolphin Dive Center" was his creation originally began in High Point, NC. (early 1970s)..moved to Thomasville, NC and eventually moved the business to Winston-Salem,NC.

Robert Outlaw was one of the First PADI Course Directors (teaching PADI IDC'S.-.Instructor Development Courses-  He and his business partners realized the need for "Local Diving" and purchased Blue Stone Dive Resort...a 20 acre quarry located in Thomasville, NC.....  Which he has turned into a Very Well Known Scuba Diving Resort....The Only ONE of It's Kind!....Providing Scuba Diving for Divers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Virginia.  He created a Dive Facility with all the "creature comforts" a Diver could want....A Dive Lodge equipped to sleep up to 16 people... Men's and Women's Showers and Bathrooms....Full Rental Dive Gear available, Air fill and NItrox Air Fills.... A Tram to take Divers and their Gear to different locations around the quarry to dive for their convience.   

Robert also built a Regulator Repair Room....to teach Regulator Repair for many of the well known manufacturers of Scuba Regualtors,  Scubapro,  Oceanic, Hollis.   He also created the facility as a TDI/SDI/ERDI  Training Faclity for Technical Dive Training....Many Re-Breather Seminars were held at Blue Stone Dive Resort.

Robert Outlaw was an "Innovator" and always coming up with New Ideas to make his business grow!  He is Highly Respected in the Scuba Dive Industry.... He will be Sorely Missed!  He was a One-of-a Kind...Self made Business Man!!

Robert is survived by his wife, Janet Hill Outlaw; son, Ronnie L. Outlaw; five brothers, Norman Outlaw, Jay Outlaw and wife, Bobbie, Eddie Outlaw and wife, Lynn, Danny Outlaw and wife, Gay, and Larry Outlaw and wife, Debbie; his former wife, Donna Outlaw; and four nephews, J.T. Outlaw, Kevin Outlaw, Andrew Outlaw and Greg Outlaw.

A celebration of Robert’s life will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday at the Blue Stone Dive Resort, 3179 Cunningham Rd. in Thomasville, officiated by Rev. George Smith.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice of Davidson County, 200 Hospice Way, Lexington, NC 27292.

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