Hall of Fame

Arthur R. Outlaw Sr.
McGill Institute

Arthur Outlaw was born September 8, 1926 on a farm outside Mobile. His family moved into the city when he was 14. In his early years, he received a Catholic education through his second year at McGill Institute. He enlisted in the U. S. Air Force Cadet Program after graduating from high school in 1945 and served for two years during World War II. He attended the University of Alabama for one year and completed a business degree at Spring Hill College.

Outlaw was highly successful in both the business and political worlds. The vice-chairman of the board and director of Morrison Restaurants, Inc. began his career as an assistant auditor in 1951 at Morrison’s, a company founded by his father,. In 1998, his business accomplishments were acknowledged by his induction into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame at the University of Alabama.

He also had an extensive public service career, beginning with the post of public safety commissioner. In 1984 he was elected city finance commissioner. During his tenure, he worked with the state legislature to change Mobile’s form of government to the current mayor/council system. In 1985 he was the first elected mayor of Mobile since 1911. Outlaw was chairman of the Alabama Republican Party from 1989-91. He played an instrumental role in the initial planning of the Mobile Convention Center which bears his name. He served in numerous leadership positions including the Board of Directors of the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, AmSouth Board of Directors, the Mobile Carnival Association, the Mobile Area Council of Boy Scouts, and the McGill-Toolen Foundation Board. His contributions to the Archdiocese of Mobile were recognized when he was made a Knight of St. Gregory.

Outlaw died on November 5, 2000. He is survived by his wife, the former Dorothy Smith, their children Robbie, Karen and Gay, and four grandchildren.

Inducted 2003
Biography updated 5/17/05

Hall of Fame

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