Noel Gene LaRousse died Friday morning October 1st at Dubuis Hospital. Born October 3, 1925 in Mauriceville, Texas to Thomas A. and Lora Davis LaRousse, he spent his childhood in New Orleans, later relocating to Beaumont, TX.
In his younger days he was an accomplished fast-pitch softball pitcher who pitched with great velocity. He attended and graduated from Beaumont High School, then worked at the Socony Paint Mill until retirement at Mobil Chemical Coatings Division.
Gene loved to dance and jitterbug, but he put his single ways behind him when he fell for the charms and the sparkle in the eye of Gloria Ann Deem. He married her, the love of his life, on October 27, 1949, celebrating almost 61 years of marriage.
Raising their family in South Park on Wyatt Street, they remained there until relocating to their son and daughter-in-law's house, where his loving daughters and sons attended to him.
A devout Christian serving God and leading many people to Christ, Gene raised his family by Joshua 24:15: "…as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Gene treasured singing with his wife and children. A wonderful singer of gospel music who phrased lyrics to express his heart, he also served as song leader/choir director in churches. He served as Youth Choir Leader and Sunday School Teacher at Florida Ave. Baptist Church and later founded the Senior Adult Choir at Woodland Baptist Church. He served many years singing and preaching the gospel to the inmates in Jefferson County Jail and Angola Prison in Louisiana.
For many years he was an active participant in the Mended Hearts Club, and visited cardiac patients on a weekly basis. Gene visited elderly people in their homes where he would pray with them and let them know they were not forgotten.
With a love of reading, especially American, Western and Pioneer History, he took his kids to the old Tyrell Library every Saturday to get books. These visits instilled in them a fascination of learning, reading and history.
Gene never met a stranger; he was the King of Corn Pone jokes and always loved to laugh and cut up with anyone nearby.
Gene had a passion for travel, exploring the U.S. and Canada with a great love for all museums and historical places. But, far and away his and Gloria's favorite destination was Gatlinburg and the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee in October.
Gene's greatest love was Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays spent with his family. He loved his grandchildren dearly, attending as many of their events as possible.
Gene was preceded in death by his beloved son Kevin LaRousse, granddaughter Tana Crocker, son-in-law Myron Stock and brother, Tommy LaRousse. He is survived by sister Marceline Keeton of Vidor, son Larry LaRousse and wife Mercy, daughter Suzanne Carver and husband Fred all of Beaumont, daughter Vicki Upchurch and husband, Andy of League City, daughter Terri Stock of Humble, daughter-in-law Shelia LaRousse of Beaumont, grandchildren; Chad and Will Richards, Tara Russell, Charissa Gonzales, Candace and Celia Carver, Jessie Thomas, Jade Rayburn, Elizabeth Stock and Ashley and Codi Drewett, eight great grandchildren, beloved friends, neighbors, relatives and his most cherished friend, love, companion and wife, Gloria.
The family extends their gratitude to doctors A. Remirez and J. Lozano, the nurses and staff at Baptist and Dubuis Hospitals and providers.
May the Angels of Heaven rejoice at their new Choir Director as they welcome him home to be with his Heavenly Father.
Donations may be made to youth fund of Woodland Baptist Church, Beaumont, TX.
Services will be held Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at Woodland Baptist Church. Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Monday, October 4th at Claybar Kelley-Watkins funeral home.