RIP John "Monster John" Rouse
- Thread starter uwate
- Start date
I did not know him, but heard many great stories from the players that would come through the Flamingo.
My condolences to his friends and family.
My condolences to his friends and family.
harleyb1940
Registered
RIP John "Monster" Rouse
This is from Harley Bryan, as told to his daughter Hayley.
I am deeply saddened by the passing of my good friend of over 50 years today. Monster John was a hellava 1 pocket pool player and he will be missed by many, as a player and as a friend.
My deepest sympathies to his family and many friends, you will be missed forever..............
Harley Bryan
I met John when I worked for my Daddy at Harley's Rac N Cue in Jacksonville, Fl, John was always super nice to me and the one thing I remember most about him is what he told me after I worked @ Harley's for several yrs, " Hayley you don't play no pool?" No was my reply and he smiled and said good your Daddy raised a smart girl, but u damn sure can run a poolroom like a pro!!! I still remember how he takes his coffee, 2 sugars and half a spoonful of cream, GOD SPEED John, you were always a welcome sight at Harley's Rac N Cue!
Hayley M Bryan Young
This is from Harley Bryan, as told to his daughter Hayley.
I am deeply saddened by the passing of my good friend of over 50 years today. Monster John was a hellava 1 pocket pool player and he will be missed by many, as a player and as a friend.
My deepest sympathies to his family and many friends, you will be missed forever..............
Harley Bryan
I met John when I worked for my Daddy at Harley's Rac N Cue in Jacksonville, Fl, John was always super nice to me and the one thing I remember most about him is what he told me after I worked @ Harley's for several yrs, " Hayley you don't play no pool?" No was my reply and he smiled and said good your Daddy raised a smart girl, but u damn sure can run a poolroom like a pro!!! I still remember how he takes his coffee, 2 sugars and half a spoonful of cream, GOD SPEED John, you were always a welcome sight at Harley's Rac N Cue!
Hayley M Bryan Young
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John
John was a good friend of mine for the few years that I was stationed in South Florida (2007-2009). I walked into that pool room so green and after taking a lesson from him he just took me under his wing and we became friends. I use to drive up from Homestead every two days I had off to go to Hollywood Billiards(now closed) which was my home away from home. Many hours were spent watching John play one pocket and banks. He instilled in me a love for Banks that still resonates with me today. We went out for dinner or lunch almost everyday we were up there and I always tried to be nice. If I bought him a little lunch or dinner it was a small price to pay for having an audience with a man that had done and see a lot in his time. We drove all around Florida going to 9-Ball Tournaments were I was his mini tournament backer sometimes. Those were great times that I will always cherish. I was so thankful to be hanging out with a truly great pool player, a good man, a good friend and a real character. I knew when John extended his friendship to me that I had better take it because for me he represented the pool player of old; back when they were true seasoned characters, and frankly he was one of the last of a dying breed cause they just don't make pool players like that anymore. He was one of the best bank players I ever saw play the game and he taught me everything I know about the game. He was a world class bite artist and I admired his skill at this. He truly was a hustler because he knew how to hustle up some money. Many great times were spent at the Dog Track in Hollywood - maybe more than the pool room. It was so much fun even when we lost. I'll never forget the sight of John cursing and tearing up his bad tickets. LOL. For those few years in Florida I don't think I hung out with anyone else on my days off. I'll never forget when Gabe Owen came to town and I backed John for 50% of his stake in a bank pool game and he won the set and it was a thriller. One of the best bank games I ever saw, both guys made shots that seem to defy my understanding of geometry and physics. Most of all I remember that John was a man who lived life on his terms and did what he wanted to do. One time when John was sitting on his beloved keno machine one of the gypsies who played in there asked him how he could stand it having no money sometimes or being broke. John told him "I get to hang out in the pool room all day "I might be a poor motherf$%%ker but I'm happy." I'll never forget that. Taught me that sometimes you might not always have money in your pocket but that don't buy happiness being able to be free and do what you want can make you happy and very few men are as free as John was. I'll never forget waiting for the owner of the pool room to go to the restroom and trying to shake down the quarter push machine. I have a lot of good memories. He was my friend.
There was a picture taken of John back at the Derby in 2008 I believe and on that night I've been told he beat Billy Incardona out of $11,000 playing one pocket. I love this picture and had a print made that is 20x30 and had it framed. So wherever I go and as long I go on this will be in the place I live. A true friend and a second Father Figure to me, and one of those great old school players that seem to be dwindling away. I'm getting a print framed today to send to his Family in Jacksonville.
I'll miss you John and thanks for all the good times and everything you taught me and being my friend.
Forrest
John was a good friend of mine for the few years that I was stationed in South Florida (2007-2009). I walked into that pool room so green and after taking a lesson from him he just took me under his wing and we became friends. I use to drive up from Homestead every two days I had off to go to Hollywood Billiards(now closed) which was my home away from home. Many hours were spent watching John play one pocket and banks. He instilled in me a love for Banks that still resonates with me today. We went out for dinner or lunch almost everyday we were up there and I always tried to be nice. If I bought him a little lunch or dinner it was a small price to pay for having an audience with a man that had done and see a lot in his time. We drove all around Florida going to 9-Ball Tournaments were I was his mini tournament backer sometimes. Those were great times that I will always cherish. I was so thankful to be hanging out with a truly great pool player, a good man, a good friend and a real character. I knew when John extended his friendship to me that I had better take it because for me he represented the pool player of old; back when they were true seasoned characters, and frankly he was one of the last of a dying breed cause they just don't make pool players like that anymore. He was one of the best bank players I ever saw play the game and he taught me everything I know about the game. He was a world class bite artist and I admired his skill at this. He truly was a hustler because he knew how to hustle up some money. Many great times were spent at the Dog Track in Hollywood - maybe more than the pool room. It was so much fun even when we lost. I'll never forget the sight of John cursing and tearing up his bad tickets. LOL. For those few years in Florida I don't think I hung out with anyone else on my days off. I'll never forget when Gabe Owen came to town and I backed John for 50% of his stake in a bank pool game and he won the set and it was a thriller. One of the best bank games I ever saw, both guys made shots that seem to defy my understanding of geometry and physics. Most of all I remember that John was a man who lived life on his terms and did what he wanted to do. One time when John was sitting on his beloved keno machine one of the gypsies who played in there asked him how he could stand it having no money sometimes or being broke. John told him "I get to hang out in the pool room all day "I might be a poor motherf$%%ker but I'm happy." I'll never forget that. Taught me that sometimes you might not always have money in your pocket but that don't buy happiness being able to be free and do what you want can make you happy and very few men are as free as John was. I'll never forget waiting for the owner of the pool room to go to the restroom and trying to shake down the quarter push machine. I have a lot of good memories. He was my friend.
There was a picture taken of John back at the Derby in 2008 I believe and on that night I've been told he beat Billy Incardona out of $11,000 playing one pocket. I love this picture and had a print made that is 20x30 and had it framed. So wherever I go and as long I go on this will be in the place I live. A true friend and a second Father Figure to me, and one of those great old school players that seem to be dwindling away. I'm getting a print framed today to send to his Family in Jacksonville.
I'll miss you John and thanks for all the good times and everything you taught me and being my friend.
Forrest
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Nice
Thanks for sharing such a personal story Forest. It sounds like your friend knew more about happiness and goodliving than most I also have a friend who lives by the same code. sorry for the loss and may he rest in peace.
Thanks for sharing such a personal story Forest. It sounds like your friend knew more about happiness and goodliving than most I also have a friend who lives by the same code. sorry for the loss and may he rest in peace.
Rest in Peace John! We had some interesting conversations, John, Gary Spaeth and I back in the days of the US Open One Pocket Tournaments, in Kalamazoo MI. John always watched Gary playing Banks & One Pocket and when we'd take a break outside to unwind John would usually ask Gary about certain shots or decisions he'd made during a match or gambling session. John was a great player in his own right and payed his dues while working to perfect his craft. He chased action all over the country a lot longer than most of the old road warriors, especially after the internet and cell phone age, when most gave up. You will be missed, John!
perfectpocketz
Banned
I'm truly sorry to hear about John's passing today...I truly have great respect for John as a friend as well as the great player he was.
We matched up about a year ago playing one hole, the best I've ever seen John play. True champion.....will always remember you my friend.
RIP my friend
Mark Gregory.
I had the pleasure of knowing him not only as a pool player, but as a friend. I am sadden by his departure,but God knows best . RIP my friend
Sorry you lost a friend and mentor. I didn't know John, but enjoyed watching him in action at Derby City. This and several of the other photos of Monster John were shot by me at DCC. There are more of him here from 2008-2010, after which apparently his health started to go downhill: http://www.poolinaction.com/
Rest in peace, John.
RIP to the "Monster"
Monster John was one of the few pool players that I would not ever bet against. I did not at all like how hard he played for the cash. No leaks. He played old style pool. No gimmicks, just hard core determination.
Beard
He could never have kept me as a customer for very long.
Monster John was one of the few pool players that I would not ever bet against. I did not at all like how hard he played for the cash. No leaks. He played old style pool. No gimmicks, just hard core determination.
Beard
He could never have kept me as a customer for very long.
memorial
I spoke to his Daughter today and told her I will take care of the headstone. I want to get something made for him just like this one done for cuemaker Herman Rambow.
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=236914&highlight=rambow+grave
I still have to find out where he will be buried and the regulations for that property but I'm in touch with a monument maker in Jacksonville.
Along with another friend of John's in Hollywood I will be paying for this to get done.
I was hoping to see if anyone would like to help us with the monument for this great man and pool player. He deserves a good monument at his resting place.
Every cent would be accounted for. I'm thinking right now that the monument would be about 600 and I'm not sure on installation yet. but maybe 800-900 for everything.
Thanks,
Forrest
Will take any donations through pay pal and will send a list out to everyone who contributes accounting for every cent as well as emailing everyone a photo of the marker once it has been placed.
I spoke to his Daughter today and told her I will take care of the headstone. I want to get something made for him just like this one done for cuemaker Herman Rambow.
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=236914&highlight=rambow+grave
I still have to find out where he will be buried and the regulations for that property but I'm in touch with a monument maker in Jacksonville.
Along with another friend of John's in Hollywood I will be paying for this to get done.
I was hoping to see if anyone would like to help us with the monument for this great man and pool player. He deserves a good monument at his resting place.
Every cent would be accounted for. I'm thinking right now that the monument would be about 600 and I'm not sure on installation yet. but maybe 800-900 for everything.
Thanks,
Forrest
Will take any donations through pay pal and will send a list out to everyone who contributes accounting for every cent as well as emailing everyone a photo of the marker once it has been placed.
Donation.
Donations
my pay pal forrestleesutton@ YaH00.com
If you donate please include your full name and address and email address so I can keep records, as I want to account for every cent. I want to email a photo of the monument when it is done to everyone that contributed. As well as a post mentioning everybody and their help.
Respectfully,
Forrest Sutton
FYI Project and raising the full amount and then getting monument made and placed will likely take two to three months. It's a long process and not an overnight quick fix especially on a custom marker like this.
Donations
my pay pal forrestleesutton@ YaH00.com
If you donate please include your full name and address and email address so I can keep records, as I want to account for every cent. I want to email a photo of the monument when it is done to everyone that contributed. As well as a post mentioning everybody and their help.
Respectfully,
Forrest Sutton
FYI Project and raising the full amount and then getting monument made and placed will likely take two to three months. It's a long process and not an overnight quick fix especially on a custom marker like this.
rip
you will be missed.
john was a great guy to play.
we played a 6 ahead 1 pocket set
the set took 24 hours i dont think the
whole match we said 1 word to each other.
john played hard for the money no shark
moves just played pool.
there are not enough players like john .