Dennis Gilbert Ouslander

Juliet was born in Belém, Brazil and grew-up in Portugal. When she was 17, she immigrated through Ellis Island and moved to Newark, New Jersey. Gilbert came to the United States from Lisbon, Portugal. Though growing up in a Portuguese household, Dennis never learned the language because his parents believed once in America, they should only speak English. They subsequently divorced and Juliet married Edward “Eddy” Ouslander in 1949. Following their marriage, Eddy formally adopted Dennis Ouslander and raised him. The family then moved to Houston, Texas where Eddy started a commercial window washing company. On a trip back to Newark, Juliet took a bus driven by Gilbert Gomes. She decided they were meant to be together, divorced Eddy Ouslander, and remarried Gilbert.

Dennis graduated from Spring Woods High School in the Spring Branch area of Houston in 1967. He then met his soon-to-be wife Sandra “Sandy” Faurot on a double date in 1968, where they were not on the date together. Sandy and Dennis were married on March 8, 1969 in Houston, Texas. Subsequently, Dennis was drafted into the Army in 1969 for the Vietnam War. He was stationed in Augsburg, Germany until 1971 when he returned to Houston. Sandy and Dennis then located again to the Spring Branch area. Dennis started working for Maxwell House Coffee Company at the plant on the east side of Houston. There, he did various jobs including unloading raw coffee beans imported from Africa. Their only child, Corey Ouslander, was then born on November 9, 1977. This was the only day of vacation Dennis ever took, which was really only a half-day because he went back to work after visiting the hospital.

Dennis worked for Maxwell House for 38 years until the plant was purchased by Kraft Foods and the work-force downsized. He then worked for Sam’s Club doing everything from being a greeter to working in the meat department roasting chickens. He was forced to leave that job in 2010 when he was diagnosed with stage-four lymphoma. With a horrible prognosis, Dennis was undeterred and said, “This won’t even phase me, I’ll just drink more juice.” He fought cancer and apparently the juice worked because he had been in remission since 2012. After flooding twice in Spring Branch, Sandy and Dennis moved to Lakes on Eldridge North.

Dennis found his new calling in helping his neighbors watch their houses while they were on vacation, picking up their newspapers, and taking in their trash cans. He was always able to talk to anyone and be willing to help anyone that ever asked. He was also known to be very giving, whether it was his time, bottles of water and snacks to the yard crews around the neighborhood, or his son’s cell phone number to neighbors that needed their sprinklers fixed. He found joy in finding things others enjoyed and would bring them happiness.

On April 7, 2022, after many years of selflessly working his entire life to support the ones he loved, he had a sudden heart attack and passed away. He only lived for others and we pray that his giving spirit and selflessness is passed on by how he lived and through his memory.

Oh, and he also wanted you to know that he had great hair that was always precision cut. Thanks Barber Kevin.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialoaksfunerals.com for the Ouslander family.