Terry Leo De Rousse's Obituary
Terry L. De Rousse passed away, ironically, on April 1, 2026. He was known for his pranks, corny jokes and fiercely generous and easy-going nature. In his final days, his favorite Hospice nurse, Karen would ask him if he was in any pain and he would slowly lift his arm and point his finger at his innocent, loving wife Linda. All of his favorite Hospice team members, Erin and Jennifer LOVED that joke as he would do it every single time they came for 15 months.
He was born June 12, 1948, to Calvin and Luella De Rousse in Saint Louis, Missouri, home to his favorite baseball team the St Louis Cardinals. He had 2 sisters, Norvella and Jackie and 2 brothers Lawrence and Butch. Terry was the last one living amongst them. He later moved to Miami, FL where he met a spitfire named Linda, who slapped his face for saying something “fresh” and Terry was smitten. They were married for 56 years (she could have killed him and served less time…LOL). They then had 2 children: Terrance and Jennifer. They had SO many wonderful memories with friends and family in all the places they lived in: Miami, North Lauderdale, Rocky Mount NC and lastly in Palm Coast.
Terry loved strangers, food and his work. If you sat next to Terry anywhere in public, he was going to start talking to you. He needed to know where you were from, where you lived now, and if you were married or had kids. His conversations always ended with an encouraging gem from the Bible. He was a faithful Jehovah’s Witness until his death. Terry loved to eat. (Just ask McDonalds) He was always first in line at all food involved gatherings and of course he was going to chat up the person next to him. He despised all “green stuff” which basically was a cover statement for all vegetables in general. He loved his work as an A/C heating guy for over 50+ years. He always jumped to help anyone who needed A/C on a hot day and volunteered on many construction projects for Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Even when he got home, he loved to work on projects. He would not accept that something wasn’t fixable. His daily phrase at work or home when he fixed something was “That’ll work” or “That ain’t going nowhere.”
Terry will be greatly missed by Linda, Terrance and fiancé Holli, Jennifer and husband Shawn Cunningham, brother-in law Joey and ALL of the rest of his surviving family, friends, and many food establishments.
Heritage Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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