Henry Charles Derousselle

Husband | Father | Papa | Brother | Uncle | Friend

On April 30, 1953, Henry Derousselle was born in Houston, Texas, and on the 17th of May he was baptized as Henry Charles. He would be known–and lovingly remembered–as Charles.

Charles was the "mischievous" youngest son of his parents–Beatrice (Thomas) and Joseph Clinton Derousselle. He was raised in Frenchtown as a member of the Our Mother of Mercy Church family. Charles attended Dogan Elementary, Kashmere High School, and the Gary Job Corps Center in San Marcos, TX, where he was recognized by the Civic Affairs Committee of the Houston Chamber of Commerce.

An avid bowler from a young age, Charles was a regular at Big Texan Bowling and, on January 31, 1982, he spotted the young lady who would change the trajectory of his life. He introduced himself to the lovely Mary Poindexter and wrote her phone number on a dollar bill. But then, he accidentally spent the dollar bill! After leaving the bowling alley, realizing his mistake, he went back to Big Texan and "had the cashier go through every single dollar until he found that dollar bill." After a seven-month whirlwind romance, Mary and Charles would join as one on October 22, 1982. To this union, their children Candace and Andrew were born who, in turn, blessed Charles and Mary with four beautiful grandchildren whom their "Papa" adored.

Bowling, Blackjack, his Blue '04 Corvette & a cold can of Dr. Pepper…

Known around town as "Banana" (and "Uncle Banana" among the young boys in the Scenic Woods neighborhood), Charles never met a stranger. From Houston to Boston to the open seas that he enjoyed cruising, he couldn't go anywhere without seeing someone he knew. He was a tough, smack-talker that only a fear of heights could shake. Mary recalled–lovingly of course–their cherished 25th anniversary trip when, on a drive up the mountains of Kauai, there was nothing but a rope that separated their convertible Mustang from the Hawaiian jungle hundreds of feet below. Life with Charles was an adventure.

On July 24, 2024, Charles joined his parents Beatrice and Joseph, his brothers Lester and Robert Lee, and nephew Wesley Berard III in everlasting life. His spirit will live on through his large, loving family, including Mary, his devoted wife of nearly 42 years, children Candace (Johnny) and Andrew (Halee), and his grandchildren Layne, James, Kori, and Charlie; siblings Camilla Berard, Earl (Evola), Clint, Michael, Tracy, and Renee; 18 nieces and nephews, including his "partners in crime" Kimberly Murphy and Bridgette Patton (Genarrow); countless cousins; a whole lot of grand- and great-grand nieces and nephews; "adopted nephew" Craig Patton (LaShonda); the Grown Folks Toys friends and family; and all of his bowling and bingo buddies, good friends, and Londonderry neighbors.

Henry Charles Derousselle departed this life July 24, 2024.  Services will be held Monday August 5, 2024, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church 501 Tidwell Rd. Houston, TX 77022. Rosary 9:30am.-10am., Viewing 10am.-11am., Funeral Mass 11am. Interment Tranquility Oaks Cemetery 22302 Hildebrandt Rd. Spring, TX 77389.