Grocery’s namesake dies at age 79

The Tri-parishes is mourning the loss of longtime supermarket pioneer Anthony Rouse Sr.

The founder of Rouses Supermarket died at age 79 Thursday after a brief hospitalization with respiratory problems at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans. He would have celebrated his 80th birthday on March 26.

“He had all six of his children and his wife by his bedside during his passing. It was a peaceful time for him,” said son Donald Rouse, current co-owner of the Rouse family market chain.

The family held a private memorial service Monday for the immediate family and, on Tuesday, a public memorial service was held at St. Joseph’s Co-Cathedral Church in Thibodaux.

“It was his wish for us to have a private burial for the family to grieve and then have an open memorial service for the public,” Donald explained.

Donald Rouse remembered his father as being more than just a business mogul. He recalls a generous man who demanded and expected the best from his workers and children.

Prior to opening the Rouses grocery chain, the elder Rouse was employed as a produce shipper. It was where he first learned to buy fruits and vegetables from local farmers and ship them throughout the U.S.

Anthony Rouse opened his first Houma grocery store in 1960. Donald said the business grew from there. Today, the grocery chain that bears his name operates more than 35 stores from south Louisiana to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Even after Rouse retired and turned the business over to his two sons – Donald and Tommy Rouse – he frequented the main headquarters to make sure things were running like the well-oiled machine he had come accustomed to.

“My father was in the office the Friday before he went to the hospital,” Donald said. “He was so active with management. He led us, advised us and taught us the things we needed to know to run a successful business.”

“He was a great mentor,” his son added.

Away from the family business, Anthony Rouse was a family man. He and wife Joyce were married for 58 years. They had six children – sons Anthony Jr., Tommy, Wayne and Donald Rouse and daughters Cindy Acosta and Jeaneen Rouse.

Rouse is also survived by 17 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

“He was a loving father,” Donald said. “He was so devoted to my mother. When they were able to, he took her dancing all the time. That was their favorite thing to do. Their love is like a fairytale to me.”

In his leisure time, Anthony Rouse loved to work outdoors. It was nothing to see him running a bulldozer or slinging a backhoe on a regular basis, his son said. The elder Rouse also loved the physical labor of building the Rouse stores.

“He had a love for land,” Donald said. “That’s what gave him pleasure. It didn’t matter how big or how small the task was, he was willing to do it to the fullest. That’s how he led his life.”

Anthony Rouse was the driving force for the rest of the family, his sons said. Donald and Tommy Rouse said they will take everything their father taught them to continue the legacy he started nearly 50 years ago.

“My dad was dedicated to his job. He always said some people are not successful in business because they don’t want to pay the price,” Donald said. “He is not talking about money. But the price of the time it takes to run a business everyday.”

Rouses Supermarket is a family affair. Alongside Donald and Tommy, the next generation has joined the ranks.

“They all do everything from running the cash registers to working at the main headquarters,” Donald said. “They are willing to do anything and everything, and that’s the way my dad was. He never expected you to do something he wouldn’t do himself.”

For a long time, the Rouse franchise was contained to the Tri-parishes. When land acquisitions became available, however, management jumped at the opportunity. And, says Donald, Anthony Rouse was there to witnesses the growth.

“My dad was with me during the bidding process,” Donald said. “He would always tell me, ‘Be careful, you might catch that tiger by the tail, then what are you going to do with it?'”

“Well, I caught it and I am doing right with it,” Donald added.

Longtime Rouse employee Bob Bixenman, who was a close friend of Anthony Rouse, recalled how inspiring his boss was.

“He inspired everyone,” Bixenman said tearfully. “I have worked for the Rouse family for 13 years. (Anthony) was like a father to me.”

Bixenmen said he would always remember the business mogul’s “Mission Possible” attitude.

“There was nothing that he wouldn’t try,” Bixenman said. “He would do anything that someone told him he couldn’t. He was tough.”

Above all, Donald Rouse said, his father approached life with integrity.

“He could have had a dollar in his pocket, but that didn’t matter,” his son said. “He could afford anything, but had an interest in acquiring nothing. He was just a simple person who enjoyed life.”

Grocery’s namesake dies at age 79