Mike Rouse

Kenny Michel Rouse was born in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, on June 8, 1951, to parents Earl Ray Rouse and Thelma Jean Smith Rouse. Mike, as those closest to him called him, passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 15, 2025, at his home in Cleveland, TX, at the age of 74. After spending just six weeks in Arkansas as a newborn, Mike’s parents moved to Pasadena, TX, where he attended grade school and graduated from Sam Rayburn High School in 1970. It was during his youth in Pasadena that he earned the nickname “Rooster.”

Mike served our country as a medical corpsman in the United States Air Force at Minot Air Force Base, ND, where he operated a communicable disease clinic. In 1972, he began a career in the petrochemical industry at Denka/Petrotex in Houston, working there for 10 years. In 1982, Mike was hired at Shell Chemical Deer Park, where he worked for 36 years, primarily in the Butyl Alcohol/Sulfur Refining plant as a Process Operator. During his time at Shell, he attended San Jacinto College Central and earned his state certification as a Paramedic, later going on to teach Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS), alongside longtime friend and Emergency Medical Services veteran Jay Cloud. Mike loved the energy and excitement of being a volunteer Paramedic with North Channel EMS during the late ’80s and early ’90s and was a member of the Shell Medical and Rescue Team (SMART). During this time, he was also a Firefighting Instructor at Texas A&M Fire School and worked tirelessly to teach the safety protocols he was so respected for.

In later years, Mike moved to the Tarkington area of Cleveland, TX, where he achieved a lifelong dream of living in the country. He returned to his passion for riding motorcycles and became a dedicated member of the Cut-N-Shoot Harley Owners Group chapter, where he formed deep and lasting friendships with fellow “Shooters” and served as a Road Guard, known for his advanced riding skills and zest for life. He will be greatly missed by his family and a host of friends who loved him dearly.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Ray and Thelma Jean Rouse; his brother, Stephen Rouse; and his sisters, Donna Danna, Sandra Rouse, and Vickie Rouse. He is survived by his beloved wife of 11 years, Rose Marie Kay Rouse of Cleveland, TX; daughter, Deana Rouse Grey, and wife, Mattison Grey, of Livingston, TX; and numerous stepchildren, step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and great-nephews whom he loved and adored.

Visitation will be at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home on Saturday, July 19, 2025 from 5-8pm. Mike's funeral is scheduled for Sunday, July 20, 2025 at 2pm in the Pace-Stancil Chapel with Bro. Carl Williamson officiating. Burial will follow in Pace-Stancil Memorial Rest Gardens. Pallbearers for the service will be, Craig Rouse, Darrell Kay, Nick Rouse, Layton Espinoza, Hunter Kay, Travis Kay, Bryce Casey, and Grayson Casey.