Ralph “Rabbit” Rouse, 90, of Beaumont, died Tuesday, June 30, 2009, at Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth in Beaumont.
A native of Houston, Rabbit was born August 28, 1918, to Anita and Ralph Rouse. He moved to Beaumont in 1925 and graduated from Beaumont High School in 1935. He began working for Magnolia Oil as an office boy, before enlisting in the Army Air Corps in 1941. He was discharged in 1947 and returned to Magnolia Oil. In 1952, he became the Employee Relations Training Supervisor. Later joining Mobil International, he was transferred to Venezuela for two and a half years to assist in opening a new refinery. Afterwards, he went to Turkey to open a new refinery and after two and a half years, returned to Beaumont. In 1972, he joined Mobil International in New York and retired in 1980, as head of Customer Relations.
Rabbit especially loved his children and grandchildren, and enjoyed spending time on the golf course and the beach.
His parents; and brother, Hank Rouse, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife of fifty-nine years, Frances Haynie Rouse; sons, Mark Rouse and his wife Ann Marie of Slidell, Louisiana, and Kirk Rouse of Missouri City, Texas; grandchildren, Brian Rouse and his wife Katie of Jackson, Mississippi, and David Rouse of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and many loving nieces, nephews and other family members.
A memorial service will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 3, 2009, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church with interment to follow in the Garden Columbarium under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. A gathering of his family and friends will be at 1:00 p.m., Friday, in the parlor, until the time of service in the Cloister Room at the church.
Cremation arrangements are held under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 680 Calder, Beaumont, Texas 77701, or a charity of one’s choice.
