James Richard Rousseau died unexpectedly from a heart attack on Friday, March 1, 2024.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Mary Lillian Rousseau, and numerous others survive him.

Along the way, he earned several nicknames that encompass his life's journey. James was born on June 15, 1961, in Albany, New York. He is survived by his father, Henry Rousseau Jr., a retired Air Force Senior Master Sergeant. Being the second of four boisterous brothers, his earliest nicknames — Jim or Jimmy — could be heard across the house. Jimmy came from a proud Air Force family. He and his brothers lived worldwide and settled across the country from North Carolina to California and Florida. They have a tight bond and affectionately call themselves the Four Amigos, loosely based on the Steve Martin movie The Three Amigos. His elder amigo Henry, who married Nancy, recently retired from a distinguished career at ESPN. His next younger amigo, John, who married Barb, manages several aircraft for blue-chip executives. And his youngest amigo Rob, who married Judy, is a successful entertainment manager at Sea World. Jim would become an Air Traffic Controller at Memphis Center in Tennessee. But this is after he met the love of his life — Eva.

Jim is survived by his wife of 40 years, Eva Rousseau (née Lynch). They met early in life because the Rousseau family and Lynch family were connected via several Air Force assignments and became friends over their families' many years of service. Jim and Eva married in West Palm Beach, Florida, and began building a life together. Early in their marriage, while living in Florida, Jim was an aspiring photographer and pizza delivery guy. He would also collect his next nickname — Dad. Dad is survived by two sons, Christopher and Nicholas, and a daughter, Kirsten.

Dad would have to make a career change with his growing family. He answered a newspaper advertisement to become an Air Traffic Controller and, upon graduation from technical school, he chose to be posted at Memphis Center in Tennessee. There, he would collect another nickname —Big Toe — based on the Sergeant Hulka character in Bill Murray's classic Stripes. Over the next twenty years in Memphis, Big Toe and Dad built a successful career and family life. Jim and Eva built the Parents Day Out ministry at Saint Ann Catholic Church, where they made several lifelong friends. Dad also customized four homes for his family around Memphis, from a golf course home to a country home out in the sticks. He was always dedicated to making his wife's and kids' dreams possible.

Thanks to their parents, Christopher, Nicholas, and Kirsten would all become college graduates and continue to make their parents proud. Christopher married Tasha and was commissioned as an officer in the Air Force. Nicholas married Rena and became the next generation of Air Traffic Controllers at Memphis Center. Kirsten married Rollin Putzier and became a teacher in Huntsville City Schools in Alabama. After retiring from the Federal Aviation Administration, Jim, Dad, and Big Toe moved to Madison, Alabama. He started his next career there, ultimately becoming a contractor and test engineer for a prominent industry company. Big Toe would have to travel back and forth between New Jersey and Huntsville, but this allowed him time to collect his last and most prestigious nickname — Poppy.

Poppy is survived by four grandchildren — Vivienne, Stellan, Asher, and Aliah. A creative, energetic, and loving lot, these grandchildren gave Poppy and Nana the opportunity to spoil the next generation with love and experiences as grandparents have the privilege of doing. From the Huntsville Space and Rocket Center to Disney World and Norway to England, Poppy and Nana were always there for their grandkids. Poppy was quick with a helping hand or a card. His love and support were always felt.

Jimmy, Jim, Big Toe, Dad, and Poppy. James Rousseau was many things to many people regardless of his nickname. Jim built, bought, and brought to life as much as he could for the love of his life. Big Toe always went above and beyond for his crew. Dad supported and sacrificed for his kids. And, in his pinnacle role as Poppy, he shone as he spent time, played, and continued to provide for his grandkids.

If one word could encompass all this, it must be devotion. James Rousseau was devoted to those around him. He will be forever loved and forever missed.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to either St. Jude's Medical Hospital or Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Poppy's name. If you do,
please include the following email in your donation: kmr1159@gmail.com so we can express our gratitude.
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Visitation will be Monday, March 4, 2024 at Berryhill Funeral Home from 2:30 to 3:00 PM. Services will follow at 3:00 PM with Father Joe Lubrano officiating.