Tommy "Tom" Wayne Bouse Sr. of Cuba, Missouri was born on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1936 in Butts, Missouri to John James "JJ" Bouse Sr. and Maggie Belle "Muddy" (nee Sites) Bouse and passed away Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026 at the age of 89 years, 1 month and 11 days.
He grew up in Butts, Missouri, attended Little Spring School and graduated from Steelville High School with the Class of 1955.
With his seven brothers and a cousin added in, the family had enough players to form their own softball team — a team that defeated many others and became local legends. He even tried out for the St. Louis Cardinals.
He married Ruby Margaret Martin on November 5, 1959 in Rolla, Missouri.
Tom served in the Army Reserves, where he continued playing fast-pitch softball, even sharing the field with Terry Bradshaw—and proudly striking him out.
In 1964, Tom and Ruby built their home in Cuba, Missouri.
He had a gift in the kitchen, especially when it came to making fudge using his mother Muddy’s recipe. Every Christmas, he made 13 cookie trays filled with fudge, sharing them with family and friends.
He accepted the Lord at a young age and served as a youth leader at First Baptist Church in Cuba. In later years, he attended Deer Creek Church
Tom loved the outdoors — fishing, hunting, and time spent at deer camp. He was an avid gardener, proud of his tomatoes. He enjoyed reading western novels.
He worked as a supervisor at Convey Shoe, Brown Shoe Company, and later Gen Corp Automotive, where he retired in 1994.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John “JJ” Sr. and Maggie Belle “Muddy” Bouse; mother-in-law, Martha (Wayne) Wright; father-in-law, Fred (Violet) Martin; siblings, Verna (Armin) Ayers, John “Chuck” (Jerry) Bouse, Eilleen “Pug” (Jerry) Winer, William H. (Joanna) Bouse, Vera (Buster) Hewkin, Betty Jo Bouse, Luther (Hallie) Bouse, Jack (Judith) Bouse, Pete Bouse, Dick Bouse and Ron Bouse; brothers-in-law, Stanley (Berneal) Martin and Joe Wright; sister-in-law, Charlotte (Joe) Brand.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ruby Bouse of Cuba, Missouri; children, Tommy Bouse, Jr. and wife Roxie of Springfield, Missouri, Sandy Wilson and husband Jeff of Cuba, Missouri and Brad Bouse and wife Jennifer of Steelville, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Tommy Bouse III and wife Amanda of Ozark, Missouri, Dale Bouse and wife Ashley of Briggsdale, Colorado, Alexandria McGee of Springfield, Missouri, Heather Dietiker and husband Jeremiah of Fredericktown, Missouri, Adam Wilson and wife Sofiya and Brittany Peterson and husband Casey both of St. Charles, Missouri, Madison Bouse and husband Daniel Park of New York City, New York, Cole Bouse and fiancée Lyn Halbert of Steelville, Missouri and Maggie Grace Bouse of St. Louis, Missouri; 11 great grandchildren, Oliver and Winston Bouse, Marley and Presley Bouse, Ryker McGee, Jaxon, Wilson and Weston Dietiker, JJ, Judah and June Belle Peterson; sisters-in-law, Joyce Miller and Jane Bouse both of Steelville, Missouri, Judy Gellerman of Sullivan, Missouri and Lola Wright of St. Clair, Missouri; special nieces, Terry Bouse of Steelville, Missouri, Joni Sanders of Cuba, Missouri, Donna Creecy of Hot Springs, Arkansas and Karen Powell of Hope, Arkansas; special friend, Dori Stubblefield of Cuba, Missouri; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at Hutson Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri.
Funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026 at Hutson Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri with Pastor Jeremiah Dietiker, Pastor Casey Peterson and Pastor Tommy Miller officiating.
Private Burial at Fairview Cemetery in Butts. Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri.
