Earl "Boone" Leeman Routh, Jr.

HOUSTON – Earl “Boone” Leeman Routh, Jr. passed away November 17, 2025, at his home at Eagle’s Trace Retirement Community in Houston, TX. Left to mourn his passing are his wife of 58 years, Yvonne; sons, Carl Lee (Rosa) and Robert Earl (Abbygail); grandsons, Mauricio Earl (Maria Fernanda), William Earl, James Boaz, and Jackson Lee; sister, Sara (Charlie) Barnes; in-laws, Cornelia Dexter, Charles Weeks, and Kenneth Duhon. He is preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Earl Routh, Sr.; siblings, Dorothy (Austin) Hester, Phyllis (Alcee) Trahan, Benson Dexter, Trudie Weeks; in-laws, Corinne and Dua Duhon and Donald Duhon.

Earl was born to Leo and Earl Routh, Sr., on March 29, 1944, in the little Mississippi Delta town of Rosedale. He enjoyed telling tales of his experiences growing up. He claimed he had a wonderful “Tom Sawyer’’ like childhood growing up on the Mississippi River. The development of his love for football probably began at a very young age. Being the only red headed, freckled faced kid, and youngest in his small neighborhood, he grew up being rough and tough defending himself against the older bullies on the street. Earl learned to butt heads with the toughest kids in school. He started playing fourth grade pee wee football, as a second grader. He was big and tough for his age, with lots of desire and tenacity, the coaches finally gave up on his constant begging and allowed him to play. He continued to play through high school. Summers were spent driving tractors and picking cotton in the Delta cotton fields. It was the admiration and respect of his high school head coach that inspired Earl to become a coach. After graduating from Rosedale High School, he went on to get his BS degree at Mississippi State University, of which he was very proud. He later earned his MS degree from the University of Houston/Clear Lake.

Immediately after graduating from State, he began his coaching career. His first two years were spent at St. Martinville High School, in St. Martinville, LA; three years at De La Salle High School, in New Orleans, LA; and on to Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, TX until his retirement twenty-nine years later. At Santa Fe ISD, he was a coach/trainer/ teacher of science, health, driver’s ed. for thirteen years, high school assistant principal two years, junior high principal for two years, and finally third/fourth grade principal for the remaining twelve years. He truly enjoyed being an educator. He motivated students in many ways, having students stand on a chair in the cafeteria, to entertain everyone by singing “I’m a Little Teapot,” “Dixie,” or “Happy Birthday” to themselves, or by doing extra math study sheets in after school detention. In extreme case he sometimes delivered the “Board of Education” swiftly on the buttocks. After he retired, Earl returned to coach freshmen football for a couple of years. He so enjoyed getting back into football, teaching the fundamentals again. Finally, he spent two years as principal of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, closing out his formal years as an educator.

Earl loved his church, Arcadia First Baptist Church, and lead what he termed, “the Old Men’s Sunday School Class,” for over 40 years. He was the youngest in the group when he began the ministry and was the last survivor of the original group. He was a charter member of the Santa Fe-Hitchcock Rotary Club, served as president and recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also awarded the City of Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce, Citizen of the Year 1994. Numerous other gifts of recognition were given throughout the years, but the most humbling was seeing his name on the Earl Routh, Jr. Fieldhouse at Santa Fe High School.

He was happy to say, “I have had a wonderful life,” however he was also most proud to include the accomplishments of his sons, and thankful to God’s greatest blessings, his four grandsons.

A celebration of Earl’s life will take place at Arcadia First Baptist Church, 14828 Highway 6, Santa Fe, on Saturday, November 22, 2025, with a visitation at 1:00 p.m. followed by the service at 3:00 p.m.

Earl’s family would like to thank all the wonderful prayer warrior friends for their prayers and support throughout his yearlong battle with cancer. Thanks to Three Oaks Hospice for the much-appreciated care and support, not only for Earl, but for the entire family. Most of all, Melissa Burl, who was our care giver, his cheerleader, and our friend.

In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to Arcadia First Baptist Church, Post Office Box 128, Santa Fe, Texas 77517, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, 10114 Highway 6, Hitchcock, Texas 77563, Santa Fe Independent School District, attention Athletic Department, Post Office Box 370, Santa Fe, Texas 77510.

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