DARREL DEAN PROUSE
09/03/1936 - 10/14/2023
After a lifetime of love, caring, service and dedication to family, friends, country, and his profession, Darrel Prouse has taken the next step in God’s great plans. Darrel Dean Prouse left the constraints of his mortal body on October 14, 2023 after a short battle with a very aggressive cancer. He was surrounded by family and love until his last breath. He is survived by his wife of 66 yrs, Lou Ann (Selman) Prouse, daughter Robyn Tooley (Rodney), son Steve Prouse, son Don Prouse (Mary), daughter D’Anna Lee (Marlin), son Richard Prouse (Robin), grandchildren William Denson III, Chris Prouse, Chase Prouse, Tori Bonilla, Kellen Lee, Walter Prouse, Matthew Prouse, and Emila Prouse, and sister-inlaw Sally Ritter. He is preceded in death by his brother E. Gene Prouse and grandson Marlin Lee III.
Darrel graduated from Galena Park H.S. in 1954. He earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Texas Chiropractic College in June 1958 where he was a member of the Delta Sigma Chi fraternity. He passed his state boards later that year. He later earned a B.S. degree from University of Houston. He served two years active duty and three years in reserve duty in the Army. With his health sciences background, he was assigned as a medic at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio.
Darrel was a very hardworking husband/father, working two or more jobs for most of his years. After several years in private chiropractic practice, Darrel became a professor/staff member at Texas Chiropractic College in Pasadena in 1966, where he spent 41 years, serving in whatever role needed-instructor, clinic director, and institutional research. He retired Professor Emeritus and was presented with the Science of Existence Award in 2007. He was also an adjunct professor at Houston Community College for 18 years.
In his youth, Darrel was an avid outdoorsman, riding his horse, squirrel hunting or duck hunting with his father, and generally enjoying being outside. He spent many years in Boy Scouts. Later in life, Darrel and his wife Lou Ann enjoyed being part of a social community service C.B. Club. They attended numerous
TCC and fraternity activities. Darrel could be found along the sidelines of his sons’ Little League games or sidelines or in stands for his daughters’ softball and high school football game events. He enjoyed family time fishing, with his family, especially his boys. Later, Darrel was approached to work as Santa Claus, which he did for several years, sometimes paid gigs, others were gratis to local churches and other service organizations. Regrettably, an accident (being rear-ended by a drunk driver which broke his back) ended this occupation of joy.
Darrel’s latter years were spent in retirement in Bryan, Texas. In retirement, he enjoyed family time, his dogs, and connections with friends on social media. Many read his postings on Facebook reminiscing about times past and being thankful for all of God’s gifts…family, friends, coworkers, and all whose lives touched his. We are all so grateful that Darrel’s life touched ours.