Ray Norman Rouse Jr.

1923 - 2016

Ray Norman Rouse, Jr.
January 4, 1923 - July 14, 2016
North Myrtle Beach
Ray Norman Rouse, Jr., 93, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2016, in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
He was born in Fountain, NC, in 1923, and moved with his parents to Goldsboro, NC, in 1925. After attending Goldsboro High School and N.C. State University, he served his country during World War II as a B-24 pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Upon leaving the service in 1946, he immediately went to work with R.N. Rouse & Co., a construction company his father had started in 1929. All four of his sons eventually joined the company and he worked alongside them until his retirement.
He was always involved in giving back to the community. He served Wayne County in many ways, both in the political and civic arena. In 1957, he was elected to the Goldsboro Board of Aldermen and served two terms. Twenty-five years later, in 1984, after raising 4 boys, he was elected to the Wayne County Board of Commissioners and served as Chairman. As a politician, he was never afraid to say what he thought or take a stand. He always did what he thought best, regardless of whether his was the most popular position.
Over the years he volunteered his time and energy to many organizations in Wayne County. He served on the boards of the Wayne County Economic Development Commission, Goldsboro Committee of 100, Goldsboro Chamber of Commerce, Wayne County Public Library, Wayne Memorial Hospital, St. Paul United Methodist Church, Wayne Country Day School and the Wayne County Boy's and Girl's club.
In 1989, Ray was recognized with the Distinguished Citizens Award by the Torhunta district of the Boy Scouts of America.
In the business community, he served on the boards for Branch Banking and Trust Co., First American Savings Bank, Wayne Computer Center and Kemp Furniture Industries, in addition to R.N. Rouse & Co.
He was very active with his sons in Boy Scouts and he spent many weekends over many years camping in the cold and wet, sleeping on the ground. He also spent many days working with his boys at Papa's Pond. He loved that place. He was tough and firm but he was fair and he taught his sons values that were important to him.
In 1996, Ray moved to North Myrtle Beach and married Becky Landen. He was a member of the Surf Club for 15 years and enjoyed playing golf and tennis with his special friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ray Norman Rouse, Sr., mother, Mattie Caraway Rouse and first wife, Hortense Liles Rouse. He is survived by his wife, Becky Lee Rouse of North Myrtle Beach, one sister, Mary Emma Simmons of Goldsboro; four sons: Ray Rouse III and wife Margie of Cary, Don Rouse and wife Lora of Cary, Charlie Rouse and wife Hannah of Goldsboro and David Rouse and wife Sarah of Goldsboro; Step children: Chad Landen and wife Karen of Greenville SC and Kellie Landen of Raleigh. 18 grandchildren: Alison Pleasants, Ray Rouse IV, Cris Folmar, Julie Weitzel, Blair Smith, Molly Strom, Jessica Anderson, David Anderson, Eva Cook, Teresa Hyde, Clint Rouse, Betty Brandt Rouse, Ellen Steed, Matthew Rouse, Sam Rouse, Sally Rouse, Anna Landen, Vivian Demeritt and 10 great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 7 pm on Sunday, July 17 in Lee Funeral Home Chapel, Little River, SC. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service. A visitation will be held from 1 pm to 2:30 pm on Tuesday, July 19 at St. Paul United Methodist Church, Goldsboro, NC. Burial will follow in Willowdale Cemetery at 3 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Tuscarora Council, BSA, 316 E. Walnut St., Goldsboro, NC, 27530 or to the organization of your choice.
A guestbook is available at www.leefhandcrematory.com.
Lee Funeral Home & Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the family.