Nelson Miller Rouse, III, 74, former Director of King Co. Parks and Recreation, died September 20, 2016 at Pacific Beach Naval Recreation Park in Pacific Beach, WA.

Nelson was born on April 2, 1942 in Los Angeles, CA to Nelson M., Sr., and Lucille Grace (Swift) Rouse. They moved to Joplin, MO and then to Renton, WA where he graduated from Renton High School in 1960. He then went to University of Washington where he obtained his BA and eventually his Master of Science in Physical Education in 1973.

Nelson joined the Army in 1967 and was stationed in Korea until he was Honorably Discharged in 1969, after which he served for 20 years in the reserves. In August 21, 1971, Nelson married Kathy Ann Stauch at the Alki Congregational Church in Seattle.

He worked for the King County Parks and Recreation department from 1971 until his retirement in 2001. He decided he wasn’t ready to be retired yet, and worked for the Social Security Administration in the Auburn call center for 5 years.

Nelson had many hobbies, including photography, cooking, reading suspense novels, camping, cruising and flying kites. But he was happiest when he was with his grandchildren and he was their biggest fan, no matter what they were doing.

Nelson is survived by his wife of 45 years, Kathy A. Rouse of Kent; two daughters: Melissa (Paul) Fankhauser of Kent and Kim Rouse of Kent; grandchildren: Jake and Ben; a daughter of the heart, Heather (Steve) Entrekin of Puyallup and their children: Lorin, Cara, Shannon and Stevie Marie; and a sister, Barbara (Andy) Knutson of Anderson Island, WA. He was preceded in death by a son, Kenneth Todd Rouse.

A celebration of life was held on Wednesday, September 28th at the Lutheran Church of the Cross, Kent, WA, as well as graveside services at Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, WA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Covington Parks and Recreation department or to the scholarship fund for Sunbeams Lutheran School.
A message of condolence or of a memory can be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, WA.

Affiliations

Army
University of Washington