Obituary: Thomas Rouse
In death as in life, Thomas Walter Rouse, 69, answered the call of his Master, took His hand, and followed where He led. Entering into the joy of his salvation, new life for Thomas began on Sunday, September 6, 2026. Thomas was born in Lenoir County to the late J.B. and Shirley Rouse on August 29, 1957.
For Thomas, faith was never confined to Sunday morning. It was the foundation upon which he built his life and the testimony that shaped everything he did. Whether behind the wheel of a UPS truck, driving a church bus filled with children, leading a hymn, comforting a grieving family, sitting in a tree stand, fishing from a boat, or simply talking with a friend, Thomas sought to live in a way that reflected the Lord he loved and faithfully served.
Faith was not something Thomas merely professed; it was something he practiced. Each day began in Scripture and prayer, and his last conversation of each day was with his Lord. He possessed a gentleness that seemed to flow naturally from that relationship. Compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love, Thomas tried to see in every person someone created and loved by God. It was exceedingly rare, if ever, to hear Thomas speak a harsh word about another person. When others might have complained, criticized, or held a grudge, Thomas was more likely to carry the matter to God in prayer. And when he told someone that he would pray for them, those were not empty words. Oftentimes, he would pray right then and there with them. Even in circumstances that were far removed from his own personal experience, Thomas had a remarkable gift of empathy that allowed him to provide immeasurable comfort. Listening to Thomas pray revealed that he did not speak to a distant God, but to One he knew. His prayers had the warmth and familiarity of a conversation with an old and trusted friend.
The gifts Thomas possessed were never his alone. They were gifts from God, and he believed they were meant to be returned to God in service. Among those gifts was a beautiful tenor voice, which he used to faithfully sing in the church choir, to lead singing during Sunday school and Wednesday night services, and to sing for many grieving families during funeral services. As long as the church operated bus routes for Sunday services, Thomas faithfully drove one, making certain that children who might otherwise have had no way to attend church were given the opportunity to come, to be welcomed, and to hear about the love of Christ.
Thomas carried that same spirit into his work. During his more than thirty years with UPS, strangers along his route had a way of becoming customers, and customers had a way of becoming friends. He quickly learned the addresses along his route and, more importantly, the people who lived there. He knew their families, their joys, their struggles, and the things that mattered to them. He genuinely cared about people, and no job title could contain the ministry that naturally grew from the way he treated them.
Following his retirement from UPS, Thomas worked in landscaping for several years before discovering another place of ministry in his work with Rouse Funeral Home. There, his deep work ethic was matched by even deeper compassion. He understood that the people he encountered were often living through some of the most difficult days of their lives, and he served them with patience, tenderness, dignity, and genuine concern.
Thomas also knew how to enjoy the life God had given him. An avid hunter and fisherman, he loved the outdoors. Climbing up in a tree stand, cutting grass on his tractor with the bushhog, and spending time in his cabin were among the many things that brought him joy. A trip to the mountains of North Carolina was always welcome, whether it was riding the length of the parkway, enjoying the views at the Linn Cove Viaduct, and camping on Mt. Mitchell or staying in a hotel in Boone and visiting the Christian Bookstore. With an excellent sense of humor, he could laugh, tell a story, enjoy good company, and find delight in the people and places he loved.
Of all the earthly blessings entrusted to Thomas, however, none was more precious to him than his family. A fierce protector, he was loving, fair, faithful, and constant. He was intentional in spending time with each one of them, and their home was the neighborhood spot for all friends to gather. Always up for a good time, family gatherings brought him great joy. In quiet time at home, he loved watching Carolina basketball and the old television shows, especially Bonanza, Gunsmoke, and The Andy Griffith Show.
A service of love and remembrance will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 10, 2026 at Faith Free Will Baptist Church with Pastor Christian Powell and Pastor Dann Patrick officiating. Thomas’s family will receive friends prior to the service, beginning at 9:30 a.m. A graveside committal will follow the service at Fairview Cemetery in La Grange.
Thomas is survived by his wife of forty-seven years, Janice Rouse; children, Brandon Rouse and wife Lauren and Melissa Baker and husband Chad; grandchildren, Rebecca Rouse, Andrew Rouse, Kamryn Rouse, Mikah Rouse, and Brody Rouse; grand-dog, Dash Baker; sister, Melony Brown and husband Larry; and nephews, Matthew Brown and wife Jessica, and Christopher Brown and wife Makayla.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com. Flowers are welcome, or memorial contributions may be made to Faith Free Will Baptist Church, 1200 West Grantham Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530. Arrangements are entrusted to Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange.
