Capt. John Thomas Rouse, United States Coast Guard (retired), 90, of Fairhope, died Dec. 25, 2015.
He considered himself fortunate in his service to his country, his close family ties and many friends that meant so much to him. He never lost his sharp mind, kind nature and positive outlook.
John Rouse was born April 12, 1925 in Mounds, Ill. to Lillie Maxedon, the daughter of a Methodist minister, and Roy Alfred Rouse. During the Depression, the family moved to a farm near Martin, Tenn., where he attended school and as a senior was elected president of the student body.
After graduation, he joined the U.S. Maritime Service and later received an appointment to the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kingspoint, N.Y. In 1944, following graduation, he sailed North Atlantic convoys to Great Britain and Russia carrying war materials. At the end of the war he served on ships carrying war relief cargo to various European ports. He was later granted a bachelor of science degree by the Merchant Marine Academy.
In 1949, he was commissioned in the United States Coast Guard, serving 28 years and retiring with the rank of captain. During his service, he commanded two ships: the U.S.C.G.C. Basswood and the U.S.C.G.C. Munro, serving as the first captain of this major new cutter.
He also served as executive officer for merchant marine inspections and was chief inspector of all U.S. Coast Guard units in the Western Pacific.
Following his military retirement in 1977, he managed the offshore logistics fleet for an oil company in Lafayette, La. for nine years.
In 1997 he retired a second time. He relocated to Ocean Springs, Miss., where he sought volunteer opportunities and became chairman of the Gulfport, Miss. SCORE, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and mentoring small business startups. He also served as a deacon in the Ocean Springs First Presbyterian Church.
He moved to Fairhope in 1998 and later to Homestead Village.
In Fairhope he continued his volunteer involvement in SCORE, where he was the secretary of the Baldwin County Chapter. He received many awards for his significant SCORE work, including the 2014 Chapter Distinguished Service Award for 25 years of continuous service. He was the only person awarded the Platinum Leadership Award by two separate SCORE Chapters in Mississippi and Alabama, the highest award given from the national SCORE organization.
John was a longtime patron of the Mobile Symphony and the University of Mobile Theatre. He enjoyed travel and events with his family and friends.
He was a member of the Baldwin County Senior Travelers, Military Officers Association of Military Veterans, the American Legion and the Fairhope Round Table.
He treasured his affiliation with the Fairhope United Methodist Church and the Friends in Faith adult Sunday school class.
John was very proud of his family, and will be deeply missed by his children: daughter, Susan Poirier and son-in-law Dr. Tommy Poirier of Carmichael, Calif., daughter, Kathy Sambor and son-in-law, Dan Seton of Las Vegas, Nev. and son, John Rouse Jr. and wife, Iliana Rouse of Macae, Brazil. He is also survived by five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
He especially enjoyed his time with his granddaughter, Kathleen Rouse, who had recently moved from Brazil to Fairhope to begin college.
John was most proud of his Christian upbringing, a successful military career, a loving relationship with his children and that he always tried to be of help to people.
The family wishes to express their appreciation and gratitude to John’s many friends in Fairhope and especially to Savan Wilson, his guardian angel here on earth.
A celebration of John’s life will be held at the Fairhope United Methodist Church, 155 S. Section St., Fairhope, AL on Friday, Jan. 8, 2016 at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Friends in Faith Sunday school class, Fairhope United Methodist Church, 155 S. Section St., Fairhope, AL 36532, or Wounded Warriors, https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/.
Arrangements by Hughes Funeral Home, Daphne.
