Edward Russell "Ed" Houk

Ed Houk, age 89, of Centerville, Texas, was welcomed into the arms of his Heavenly Father on April 16, 2018. A celebration of his life will be held at 11 A.M., Friday, April 20, 2018 at the Walters Funeral Home in Centerville, Texas. Bro. Buster Riley and Bro. Mikey Osborne will officiate the service. A private interment will take place in the Largent Cemetery in Lufkin, Texas. Visitation will be held from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M., Thursday, April 19th at the funeral home.

Pallbearers: Arthur Lee Osborne, Carson Mundy, Eddie Bryant, Austin Bryant, Josh Aberle, Shane Williams

Honorary Pallbearers: Gary Rosier and Ricky King

Edward Russell Houk was born September 26, 1928 in Hillsboro, Missouri. He was one of three sons born to Thomas Edward & Angeline Elizabeth (Williams) Houk. Ed joined the U.S. Navy at the early age of seventeen and served his country in active duty for two years and reserve duty for four years. He later joined the Air Force from which he retired as a Master Sergeant after forty-two years of active reserve service. Ed had worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and retired in 1981 after thirty-one years. He also worked five years for Turlock School District.

Ed was the Executive Director for the Centerville Housing Authority for nine years. He was a member of the LaPorte Lodge #857 A.F. & A.M. for fifty years and a thirty-second degree mason in the Centerville Masonic Lodge #1291 A.F. & A.M. He had joined Scottish Rite and Shriners in 1973 and held memberships in the Sharon Temple of Tyler and the Valley of Houston Orient of Texas.

Ed and his wife, Joyce, moved to Centerville from California in 1995 and soon became active members of the First Baptist Church. In 1997, Ed began holding church services every Thursday at the Centerville Healthcare Center and did so until his health began to fail. He put his love for cooking to good use by cooking for the Men’s Breakfast Meetings held at various times throughout the year.

Ministering to the community about the power of Jesus Christ was Ed’s calling in life. He loved to speak to anyone about the love and saving grace of his Lord and did so until he, himself took his final journey to Heaven. He was a shining example of a loyal Christian man who’s faith in God was unfaltering. Ed will be greatly missed, not only by his biological family, but by his Christian family and community, as well. He is now rejoicing with his Heavenly Father!

Ed was preceded in death by both of his parents; an infant son and brother, Robert Houk. Surviving family members include wife, Joyce Houk of Centerville; children, Cindy Osborne (Natalie Payne) of California, Denise Kilgore of San Antonio, Elvin Bryant of Katy and Tammie Williams (Shane) of Martinsville and brother, William "Bob" Houk of Modesto, CA. Ed is also survived by eleven grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.

Arrangements are under the direction of Walters Funeral Home in Centerville, Texas.