Tom W. Bouse Sr.

Tommy "Tom" Wayne Bouse, Sr., of Cuba, MO, was born on Wednesday, December 2, 1936, in Butts, MO, to John James "JJ" Bouse, Sr. and Maggie Belle "Muddy" Bouse, nee Sites. He passed away peacefully and surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at the age of 89 years, 1 month and 11 days.
Tom was the youngest of twelve children, growing up in Butts, Missouri, where life was full, lively, and shaped by strong family bonds. He attended Little Spring School, where his sister Vera was one of his teachers, and later graduated from Steelville High School with the Class of 1955. With his seven brothers and a cousin added in, the family had enough players to form their own softball team - a team that defeated many others and became local legends. Baseball remained close to Tom's heart, and he even tried out for the St. Louis Cardinals. Though he was sent home to gain a little weight, fate had a much better plan waiting for him.

That plan came in the form of Ruby Margaret Martin, the love of his life. Tom and Ruby were married on November 5, 1959, in Rolla, Missouri, beginning a partnership that would define his life. Together they raised three children - Tommy Jr., Sandy, and Brad - and built a family grounded in love, laughter, and tradition.

Tom served in the Army Reserves, where he continued playing fast-pitch softball, even sharing the field with Terry Bradshaw-and proudly striking him out. In 1964, Tom and Ruby built their home in Cuba, Missouri - a home that became a gathering place filled with warmth and welcome. No one ever left hungry or thirsty. Guests were always offered food, beverages, ice cream, and if you were lucky, invited to one of Tom's famous Pawpee Pizza Parties.

Tom had a gift in the kitchen, especially when it came to making fudge using his mother Muddy's recipe. Every Christmas, he made thirteen cookie trays filled with fudge, sharing them generously with family and friends - a sweet reflection of his giving heart.

Faith was central to Tom's life. He accepted the Lord at a young age and, when his children were young, served as a youth leader at First Baptist Church in Cuba. In later years, he attended Deer Creek Church, continuing his lifelong walk of faith; though in the last few months he was unable to attend, he missed his church family dearly.
Tom loved the outdoors - fishing, hunting, and time spent at deer camp brought him great joy. He was also an avid gardener, especially proud of his tomatoes, which he gladly shared with others. He worked hard throughout his life, serving as a supervisor at Convey Shoe, Brown Shoe Company, and later Gen Corp Automotive, where he retired in 1994.

Retirement opened a new chapter for Tom and Ruby. They enjoyed traveling together, with Tom as the expert navigator - reading the map while Ruby drove, snacks always close at hand. They took three cruises with family and created memories that will be treasured forever. Yet no matter where he traveled, Tom knew where his heart belonged. Crawford County was home, and it was where he loved to be most.

Tom enjoyed reading western novels, but his greatest joy came from time spent with his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, always happiest when playing with the kids and simply being together. Tom and Ruby were rarely seen apart, having built a beautiful life side by side - one filled with devotion, laughter, and enduring love.
As family members headed out the door, Tom had a phrase he lovingly repeated: "Don't forget who you are." In the last three weeks of his life, Tom felt deeply blessed to be visited by all nine of his grandchildren, and his final words to each of them were that he hoped to see them all in heaven. Those words reflect the values he lived by - integrity, humility, faith, and love of family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John "JJ" Sr. and Maggie Belle "Muddy" Bouse; mother-in-law, Martha (Wayne) Wright; father-in-law, Fred (Violet) Martin; siblings, Verna (Armin) Ayers, John "Chuck" (Jerry) Bouse, Eilleen "Pug" (Jerry) Winer, William H. (Joanna) Bouse, Vera (Buster) Hewkin, Betty Jo Bouse, Luther (Hallie) Bouse, Jack (Judith) Bouse, Pete Bouse, Dick Bouse and Ron Bouse; brothers-in-law, Stanley (Berneal) Martin and Joe Wright; sister-in-law, Charlotte (Joe) Brand.
Tom is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Ruby Bouse of Cuba, MO; children, Tommy Bouse, Jr. (wife Roxie) of Springfield, MO, Sandy Wilson (husband Jeff) of Cuba, MO and Brad Bouse (wife Jennifer) of Steelville, MO; 9 grandchildren: Tommy Bouse III (wife Amanda) of Ozark, MO, Dale Bouse (wife Ashley) of Briggsdale, CO, Alexandria McGee of Springfield, MO, Heather Dietiker (husband Jeremiah) of Fredericktown, MO, Adam Wilson (wife Sofiya) and Brittany Peterson (husband Casey) both of St. Charles, MO, Madison Bouse (husband Daniel Park) of New York City, NY, Cole Bouse (fiancée Lyn Halbert) of Steelville, MO and Maggie Grace Bouse of St. Louis, MO; 11 great grandchildren, Oliver and Winston Bouse, Marley and Presley Bouse, Ryker McGee, Jaxon, Wilson and Weston Dietiker, JJ, Judah and June Belle Peterson; sisters-in-law, Joyce Miller and Jane Bouse both of Steelville, MO, Judy Gellerman of Sullivan, MO and Lola Wright of St. Clair, MO; special nieces, Terry Bouse of Steelville, MO, Joni Sanders of Cuba, MO, Donna Creecy of Hot Springs, AR and Karen Powell of Hope, AR; special friend, Dori Stubblefield of Cuba, MO; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visitation was from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at Hutson Funeral Home in Cuba, MO. Funeral Service was at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 16, 2026 at Hutson Funeral Home in Cuba, MO with Pastor Jeremiah Dietiker, Pastor Casey Peterson and Pastor Tommy Miller officiating. Private Burial was at Fairview Cemetery, Butts. MO. Memorials were suggested to Fairview Cemetery (mail c/o Jodi Cottrell PO Box 34 Steelville, MO 6556).
Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, MO.