It was becoming a center of defense-related jobs at the shipyards as the United States began to respond to World War II in Europe, stimulating other businesses as well.
He enlisted in the U. S. Air Force Cadet Program, serving for two years during the last months of World War II and afterward.
After returning to Mobile, he attended the University of Alabama for one year and completed a business degree at Spring Hill College.
By 1950, Morrison's had 17 locations in Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, and Florida, with seven in the latter state, and it had become synonymous with Southern casual dining.
Outlaw entered politics in 1965, and was elected as Public Safety Commissioner of the city of Mobile, serving into 1969.
[4][5] This had resulted from a suit by Wiley Bolden with the support the Non-Partisan Voters League in the late 1970s, challenging the at-large election of city commissioners, which was filed under the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
It challenged the at-large system for suppressing minority voters, and reached the United States Supreme Court, which decided Mobile v. Bolden (1980) and sent the case back to U.S.District Judge Virgil Pittman for a retrial, shortly before which the plaintiffs found a 1909 letter written by Congressman Frederick G. Bromberg which seemed a "smoking gun".
[4] Dow helped carry out some of Outlaw's vision for downtown Mobile, including construction of the convention center.
He contributed to Catholic charities and helped support Spring Hill College and other interests in the area.