Franklin D. Houser

The life of Franklin D. Houser began January 30, 1934, on the kitchen table of his grandmother’s house in Arkansas City, KS. Eternal life began at the moment of death, February 6, 2024. He had just turned 90.

His parents, Mildred and Bemas Houser were of modest means, but instilled in him the possibility of great success through honesty and hard work. Always in a rush to succeed, Franklin finished high school in three years in Wellington, KS, to attend Kansas State University (KSU), graduating in 1955. While there, he joined the debate team, SAE fraternity, R.O.T.C. and met his future wife, Bonnie Hahn, on a blind date. He graduated in 1955 from KSU, started law school and married Bonnie during a blizzard on January 29, 1956. He spent two years in the U.S. Army on duty at a Nike Missile base in Germany watching for missiles coming from the East. He graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1960.

After passing the bar, he accepted his only job offer from House, Mercer, House & Brock, a San Antonio defense firm that allowed him great training in developing trial cases all over Texas. Daughter Sabrina was born in 1960, the first of four children. In 1970, Franklin joined Richard Tinsman, forming Tinsman and Houser. It was a true start-up firm, but major cases were coming their way. Franklin was an excellent advocate for his clients, seeking to right the design wrongs of faulty products, most of the time being the David against huge business Goliaths. His litigation forced improvements in automobile fuel tanks, braking systems, tempered glass, and non-flammable fabrics for tents and children’s pajamas. Franklin was listed in the first edition (and many subsequent) of “The Best Lawyers in America,” the “best” being determined by peer voting.

In the 70’s Franklin stepped into another dimension, a life of faith and living hope in Jesus Christ initiated by a Faith Alive weekend at his church. In 1976, he reduced his caseload for a year to become Director of Here’s Life San Antonio, an evangelistic campaign. Then 6 years later, he and Bonnie became involved with the Executive Dinner Party Ministry resulting in Bible Studies all over the city and leading one in his home for many years. This ministry continued until 1994. Franklin was so willing to give his life story to others both personally and at outreach events.

In 2000, Franklin retired from law practice to focus on grape planting and winemaking, forming Dry Comal Creek Vineyards and Winery near New Braunfels. Armed with two books on winemaking and a discerning palate, he invented several unique wines and became something of a pioneer in producing wines from the Black Spanish varietal. In 2017, Dry Comal Creek Vineyards was sold, leaving him to read voraciously and delve into many subjects of interest. Franklin was a faithful and loving husband, father, son, brother, grandfather, and friend. He was a man with a unique sense of humor and a quick investigative mind. He will be deeply missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred and Bemas, and sister, Pauline Weingard. Franklin is survived by his wife of 68 years, Bonnie Houser (nee Hahn), daughter Sabrina Houser Amaya (Hector), and sons Page Houser (Kristi), Sloan Houser (Peggy), and Eliot Houser (Kristine) and grandchildren Sage, Boothe, Vaughn, Scarlett, McCarthy, Franklin, and Nola.

It was Franklin’s wish that any memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to:

Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU) Check: P.O. Box 628222, Orlando, FL 32862-8222. (please include note that donation is in memory of Franklin D. Houser) Online or Telephonic Donation: CRU Donor Relations 888-278-7233

Hillsdale College Check: 33 E. College St. Hillsdale, Michigan 49242 (please include note that donation is in memory of Franklin D. Houser) Online or Telephonic Donation: Hillsdale College - Donations 517-607-2727

A Funeral Service took place on Monday, March 4, 2024 at 11:00 am at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church, 825 East Basse Road. To view a recording of Franklin's service, please click here: https://www.youtube.com/live/iThLBHPmX4k

A Reception was held on Monday, March 4, 2024 from 12:00-2:020 pm at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church, 825 East Basse Road.

David Handley officiated.