Heber "Bruce" Rouse Sr.

Heber "Bruce" Rouse, Sr., 73, was a longtime resident and businessman in Jacksonvillesince 1955. He started Excel Body Works in Jacksonville and Wilmington, North Carolina. In 1978 he sold Excel to his longtimefriend and business partner, Chuck Kay. He started Three Point Motors and B&T Cars and continued to work in Three Point Motors until his death on Thursday, July 12, 2001. Over the years, Bruce enjoyed many business endeavors and built the New River Townhomes on the water at Shoreline Drive.
Bruce was a veteran of the United States Navy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Heber and Dolly Ruth Rouse and his daughter, Frances Joyce Rouse.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 25 years, Phyllis Albertson Rouse; one son, Heber Bruce ""Buddy'' Rouse of Florida; three daughters, Kathy ""Kay'' Rouse, Rhonda Rouse and Mary Lee Craft, all of Jacksonville; two stepdaughters, Golonda Howard and Gloria Wiggins of Trenton; 16 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Doris Heath of New Bern, Ruth Faulkner of Hubert and Ruby Hines of Monroe; four half-brothers, Jessie, Claude, John and David; two half-sisters, Lottie Baker and Mary Gaskins.
Bruce will always be remembered as a loving husband, devoted father and grandfather, good friend with a wonderful sense of humor and a joy to have known and loved.
Funeral services will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at Jones Funeral Home Chapel in Jacksonville. Entombment will follow at Onslow Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends Saturday from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home.