Ronald E. “Devil Dog” Rouse, 74, of the Trammel Community passed away peacefully in his sleep Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at his residence. The Gallipolis, OH native was a 1968 graduate of Jackson (Ohio) High School, served in the 1st Marine Division, one of the most active units in the Vietnam War. After returning from Vietnam, Ron continued to serve his fellow citizens as a law enforcement officer for 15 years followed by 15 years with the Office of Veteran Affairs at the VA Medical Center in Chillicothe, OH. He was a son of the late August Eugene Rouse and Mary Jane McGowan Rouse.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years: Anita Jane Messer Rouse, the Trammel community;
3 sons: Michael Todd Messer and wife, Wilma; Ronald Rouse, Jr. and wife, Pam and Jason Matthew Rouse and wife, Sherry, all of Portsmouth, OH;
1 brother: August Rouse II, Covington, KY;
2 sisters: Brenda J. Scarborough and husband, Chuck, Dover, TN and Barbara J. Hensley, Jackson, OH;
2 sisters-in-law: Jill Evans Rouse, AZ and Stella Sellers Rouse, Jackson, OH;
5 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and many friends.
He was preceded in death by 2 brothers: Michael D. Rouse and Timothy S. Rouse.
Visitation will be 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday at Goad Funeral Home with cremation to follow. Entombment will be at a later date in Middle Tennessee State Veteran’s Cemetery in Clarksville, TN.