Msgt. James "Jimmy" Rouse, Usaf (Ret)

MSgt. James “Jimmy” Rouse, USAF (RET)

James “Jimmy” Allen Rouse, 69, went to be with our Lord and Savior at his home on Friday, July 31, 2015.

Visitation will be Sunday, August 2 from 6-8 PM at Piersall Funeral Home, 733 Butternut in Abilene. Services will be Monday, August 3, 10 AM at Second Baptist Church, 901 Victoria in Abilene. Burial will follow at Elmwood Memorial.

Born in Maysville, NC on May 11, 1946 to William and Sarah Rouse. Jimmy spent his childhood years in New Bern, NC where he graduated from New Bern High School. One of Jimmy’s first job was working for Stanley Tools before enlisting in the United States Air Force where he served from September 10, 1965 until retiring March 9, 1978 as MSgt. After retiring, he was employed through the Civil Service serving 20 years with the Dyess Base Housing, Abilene.

Jimmy met and married Nancy Box on January 14, 1967, in Abilene, TX. They had 2 daughters, Jennifer and Teresa. He later married Darlene Sparks on August 27, 2012. Jimmy was an active member of Second Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and Church Treasurer for over 30 years.

He is survived by his wife Darlene Rouse of Abilene, his daughter Jennifer and her husband Trampas Deen of Abilene, his daughter Teresa and husband Damon Hargrove of Tuscola. Jimmy also leaves nine grandchildren; Kody Hooper, Kallie and husband Justin Lett, Kelsey and husband Brandon Seifried, Alicia Ison, Shea Hargrove, Cole Hargrove, Tessa Deen, Tyler Deen, Sierra Hargrove and eleven great-grandchildren. He leaves his brother, WJ Rouse of New Bern, NC, and sisters Evelyn Ausfeld of New Bern, NC and Nelda Gaskins of Bridgeton, NC. He also leaves behind mother-in-law, Dorothy McCraw of Abilene, Darlene’s children and families, along with numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and his extended church families.

Jimmy is preceded in death by his father William Rouse, his mother Sarah Rouse, and his first wife, Nancy Rouse.

The family request contributions in lieu of flowers be made to Second Baptist Church Youth Fund. The family would also like to acknowledge superb professionalism demonstrated by Hendrick Hospice and Hendrick Home Health staff.