Terry G. DeRouen

Terry G. DeRouen passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, December 26, 2024, at the age of 84. He was less than two weeks away from his 85^th birthday.

Born on January 7, 1940, in Franklin, Louisiana, he was raised in Port Arthur, Texas. His influence in Cajun music stemmed from his father and grandfather performing Cajun music themselves.

Taking on his new ‘stage name,’ he formed his first band, “Gene Terry and His Kool Kats” in the mid-1950’s, doing mostly country and western songs. In 1957, they did record one record for ‘Rock-It’ Recording Company of Port Arthur with “The Woman I Love” on one side and “Tip, Tap and Tell Me” on the flip-side. But he changed as the world of music was changing around him and switched to rock ‘n roll.

He took on another alias and changed the band’s name again to “Gene Terry and The Down Beats.” In 1958, he recorded his first 45 rpm record with a ‘solo billing’ at Eddie Shuler’s ‘Goldband’ studios in Lake Charles. One side was “Cindy Lou,” written by Cookie & His Cupcakes saxophonist, Shelton Dunaway, while the flip-side was “Teardrops in my Face,” written by William H. Bodaford, Sr.

Also in 1958, as Gene Terry and The Down Beats, they recorded “No Mail Today” and “Never Let Her Go” on the Goldband label.

In 1959, Goldband released “Cinderella, Cinderella” and “Guy With a Million Dreams.” Also in 1959, on the New Jersey-based ‘Savoy’ label, one side was “This Should Go On Forever” by Gene Terry and The Down Beats, while the flip-side was “Fine, Fine” by Gene Terry and The Down Beats. Goldband also released two 45 rpm records with female singles intertwined.

One with Jenny Scorggins included “Cindy Lou” and “Can I Still Love You,” while the other with Beth Murphy included “Where Were You” and “Walking On Air.” He and his band performed all over south Louisiana in the late 1950’s with the ‘Lake Shore Club’ in Lake Arthur a home-away-from-home of sorts.

He went to Bishop Byrne High School and enjoyed golfing. Terry was an operator at DuPont for thirty plus years. He also loved Nederland Bulldogs football. Spending time with his family was very special to him.

Survivors include his wife, Mary DeRouen; son, Kevin DeRouen and wife, Mindy; granddaughters, Sarah Mounkes and husband, Mason, Hannah Shipman and husband, Spencer, and Kelsi Kolb; grandsons, Seth Sebastian and wife, Spencer, and Kody Kolb and fiancé, Jaci Anderson; and great-grandchildren, Ellie, Millie, Philip, and Finnick Mounkes; Parker, Blakely, and Kyle Sebastian; Adalynn Abuan; and Olivia Barnes.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Barbara DeRouen; son, Jody DeRouen; and brother, Mike DeRouen.

A gathering of Mr. DeRouen’s family and friends will be 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Sunday, December 29, 2024, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12^th Street, Nederland. His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, December 30, 2024, at Broussard’s, with his interment to follow at Memory Gardens of Jefferson County, Nederland.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Tammy Ortiz for the care she provided to Mr. DeRouen.