On January 25, 2024, Michael Raymond Rouse, TSgt, USAF (Ret) passed from this life to his final reward.

Funeral Services will be conducted Sunday, January 27, 2024, at 3PM at Edwards Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will be on Monday, January 28 at Pinelawn Memorial Park at 11AM.

Born on January 13, 1963, in Charleston, SC, Michael was a Navy Brat who grew up in Charleston, Panama, Cuba and Florida. Michael graduated from W. T. Sampson High School, in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in 1981. He returned home to Kinston/Grifton area when his dad retired and continued his education at Lenoir Community College before joining the United States Air Force in 1984. After completing training at Lackland Air Force Base, Michael was assigned to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, NC. In October of 1987, he married the love of his life Connie Smith Rouse who joined him on his journey with the Air Force. Together they lived at Seymour Johnson AFB, Tyndall AFB, Panama City, FL and RAF Lakenheath, UK before returning to Goldsboro to complete his time with the Air Force by retiring in 2008. Michael also served a year remote at Galena Airport, Alaska. While serving with the Air Force, Michael completed many deployments to Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Italy, with short trips into Bosnia and Kosovo to retrieve jets when necessary. Michael was well respected as a Crew Chief and NCO during his time of service. He received many medals and awards during his tenure in the Air Force to include the Airman’s Medal for Heroism in a noncombat event while serving at RAF Lakenheath and was presented after he returned to Seymour Johnson. Although Michael had made the decision to be an organ donor, his time in the UK made him ineligible.

One of Michael’s greatest joys was being a father to his two sons, Spenser Michael and Kenneth Aldon. Michael spent many hours playing with them and being den leader and scoutmaster to both. Michael was very proud of his sons and spent a lot of time at school plays, band concerts, swim meets and scout events in support of his boys. With all his deployments, Michael made a point of spending as much time with his boys as he could when he was home. His other great joy was his grandchildren, Colton, Mason and Hazel. They brought so much joy to his life, and he especially enjoyed his time babysitting because he was “Not retired, he was a professional Papa.” Mostly, Michael enjoyed spending time with his wife Connie whether they were camping, watching TV, or babysitting the grands, by her side was where he always wanted to be.

Michael is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Randolph and Mable Seymour, his paternal grandparents, Durwood and Louise Rouse and his parents-in-law, Berta and Johnie Smith.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Connie Smith Rouse, of the home, his son’s Spenser Michael and wife Sydney of Goldsboro, NC, and Kenneth Aldon of the home. His grandchildren, Colton Michael, Mason Beckett, and Hazel Marlowe Mae of Goldsboro. His parents, Kenneth and Brenda Rouse of Grifton, his sister, Sharon Rouse Dew and Powell of Stantonsburg. His brother-in-law, Johnnie Smith and wife Wanda of Dover. His nephew, Jay Smith and nieces Cody Creech and Jacob, Kaitlyn Hooks and James and Amber Arnold and David. He also has two great nephews and a great niece. He is also survived by dear friends in our Air Force Family, Randall and Diane Thompson of Amherst, VA. He had many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who will also miss his presence.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Transatlantic Council of the Boys Scouts of America or to Air Force Aid at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

Arrangements by Edwards Funeral Home & Cremations. Online condolences may be expressed at www.edwardsfhc.com.