Rodney Joseph Ouse passed away peacefully at his home on March 13, 2025, surrounded by his loving family at the age of 96. He would not have wanted it any other way, because being with his family was something he treasured most in life. Nothing made him happier than to be with family and friends listening to jazz music with a martini and an oyster in hand. He spent many happy hours with his family at his home in Rio Del Mar, where he lived for almost 50 years. His love for jazz music grew from the time he was a young man growing up in Gustine, California, with his parents, Joe and Lena Ouse, and his three younger brothers, twins Gordon and Jordon, and Duane and their large extended Portuguese family. Rod played clarinet with his high school band, the Gustine City Band and later, the Blue & Red Circus Band, which played at many events in the Santa Cruz area, including the Wharf to Wharf race. Many happy memories and funny stories resulted from band jobs with the crew of the Gustine City Band, where they played at Portuguese festas and parades around the Central Valley and the Central Coast. At his home in Aptos, he played jazz tenor sax and flute with a group of friends every Tuesday afternoon, a tradition which he kept up as long as he was physically able.
Professionally, Rod’s career in education spanned over 36 years. As an alumni of both UC Berkeley and Chico State Universities, he taught English at Gustine, Santa Cruz, Soquel and Harbor high schools. From the 1970’s until his retirement in 1992, he taught reading classes at Cabrillo College, where he expanded the Reading Center and became the head of the Foreign Language and Communication Department. An avid reader, he loved to talk about literature and read aloud to his students and children with theatrical flair that everyone enjoyed.
Traveling was another passion of his and he was able to enjoy journeys through Europe, Mexico, Egypt and Hawaii. He took his kids on many cave explorations and loved adventure. In his off-time, he played and coached basketball and track and field, which translated into watching the Golden State Warriors once his days on the court were behind him.
Rod was proud of his Portuguese and Native American heritage and enjoyed learning more about his Coast Miwok ancestry in his later years. He was an enrolled member of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria and was honored in December 2024 as the eldest male member in the tribe.
The entire Ouse family has lost another great patriarchal figure, but will continue to be comforted by his long and vibrant presence in their lives. Rodney was preceded in death by his twin brothers, Gordon and Jordon, his former wife, Eleanor Fraga, niece Lisa Hicks and great-nephew Eric Ouse. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Carolyn Wade-Ouse, his children, Stan Ouse, Victoria Allyn, Nancy Locatelli, Rob Ouse, Laura Wecksler (Steve), and grandchildren, Nick Ouse, Katy Ouse (Ben), Easton Allyn (Allison), Kimberlee Toderian (Blaine), Olivia Locatelli, Kristina Barnard (Brendan), Ryan and AJ Ouse, and Lillian and Samuel Wecksler. He also leaves his brother Duane Ouse (Linda), Rosemary and Susanna Ouse (wives of Jordon and Gordon), and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Oakwood Memorial Park in Santa Cruz. A kind act of charity made in his memory to the charity of your choice is appreciated. Arrangements for a celebration of Rod’s life will be forthcoming.
A Rodney Ouse Memorial Scholarship fund has been setup through the Gustine High School Scholarship organization... GUSTO...make check to GUSTO with a memo line “for Rodney Ouse Memorial Scholarship” mail to P O Box 431, Gustine, CA 95322.
