Elton Wayne Rouse, 80, walked into the arms of his Savior Jesus Christ, Wednesday, March 26th after a short but intense battle with cancer.
Wayne was a devoted husband, dad and grandfather (papa), and passed away while surrounded by his loving family. Wayne was born on August 17, 1944, to Elton and Miriam Rouse of Owensboro, Kentucky.
He has been reunited with his wife of 42 years, and the love of his life, Sherry, in heaven. He leaves behind his two adult sons; Marty Rouse and wife Jen Baker of San Marcos, Texas, and Andy Rouse and wife, Kathryn of Austin, Texas; seven grandchildren: Kaitlyn, Lindsay, Noah, Elyse, Isabelle, Nicholas, and Becca; his sister Sandy Rouse of Owensboro; his brother Dennis Mark Rouse and wife, Susan, of Owensboro; his sister-in-law, Polly Gardner of Houston; and five nieces; Elke, Erica, Erin, Hadley and Erin. Wayne was preceded in death by his father and mother, Elton and Miriam Rouse, and his beloved wife, Sherry Rouse.
Wayne received his undergraduate degree in Accounting from Western Kentucky University and his masters degree from Georgia State. He honorably served in the United States Army for two years before starting his long career as an accountant and eventually as a CPA for Texaco for 29 years before retiring.
For the first few years of their marriage, Wayne and Sherry lived in (and loved) Atlanta, Georgia. They then moved to Houston, Texas, which is where they would call home and raise their family for the next 25 years. During his time in Houston, Wayne enjoyed spending time with friends and his family, going for runs (and collecting an estimated 18,000 stray golf balls over his career), reading at the local park, camping and boating with his family, taking road trips to Owensboro, and serving as a proud Elected Water Board Member in Bear Creek.
In the mid-2000’s, Sherry was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease, and Wayne cared for his beloved wife for the next eight years until her passing. He considered this the greatest honor of his life. He had a servant’s heart, and set the example of unconditional love and commitment to everyone around him – especially his children who would follow his example in caring for him in his last year with brain cancer.
As a widower, Wayne filled in the gap for Sherry with his grandkids like a pro. Sending birthday cards, loving them well, and showering them with gifts and all the random things in his house he thought they might want.He continued to show the spirit of service when he moved to San Marcos, Texas shortly after Sherry passed to be closer to his grown sons and grandchildren. He was a volunteer at the CTMC hospital for several years, a proud Lions Club Officer and Board Member, and on the board of his HOA.He is best known for his big heart and quirky sense of humor. He loved making his grandkids laugh.
He was a loyal, kind and generous friend and quickly made lifelong friendships from childhood, his time in the Army, Atlanta, Houston, and San Marcos. He has been a good and faithful servant. He showed unconditional love to all – especially to his family.
If you would like to make a donation, please do so in memory of Wayne and Sherry, to the
Alzheimer’s Association or the American Cancer Society.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 1:00pm at First Baptist Church, 325 W. McCarty Lane, San Marcos, Texas.