Daniel Xavier Houston

Dan’s life is best characterized by his dedication and loyalty to God, to his country, to his wife, and to his family. He was guided throughout his life by the faith in Jesus Christ his mother nurtured and by loyal service inspired by his father. He manifest these virtues in teaching his children respect for the dignity of every human person.

Born in Laredo, Texas, to Reuben and Margaret Houston, he was a child of the Great Depression. Moving around central and south Texas with his family as his father pursued work, he learned resourcefulness. As a child he collected and sold empty liquor bottles, giving the money to his mother for groceries. He and his brothers helped their father build the family home in Freer, a south Texas oil boom town. The day after graduating from Freer High School, he left home with his mother’s reminder to “Remember St. Jude”. He took a bus ride to San Antonio where he did plumbing work while waiting for enlistment in the U.S. Army on January 27, 1943.

Joining our country’s fight in World War II, he was assigned to the Army Air Corp and served in the Pacific Theatre as Engineer on an Air Sea Rescue Boat, often called a “crash boat.” Promoted to Warrant Officer during the war, he led his boat’s crew until he was honorably discharged after the war on August 10, 1946. Following his military service, he was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Back in San Antonio, Dan went to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. He started out as a Lineman climbing telephone poles, and as his career progressed, held positions of Installer, Test Board, and Data Supervisor. During his first job he met Rita Hofmeier, also employed with the phone company. They married at St. Gerard Catholic Church on November 13, 1948. They started their family in the St. Gerard’s neighborhood before moving in 1957 to the north San Antonio neighborhood served by Blessed Sacrament Church, where they were founding members. At Blessed Sacrament, Dan served as assistant Boy Scoutmaster, as secretary of the school’s parent-teacher association, and youth sports coach. Dan and Rita, with other Blessed Sacrament couples, later started the St. Rita Holy Family Guild, forming friendships that endured through their lives.

Dan was the consummate family man. He would often get up early and fix hot breakfast for the family while listening to a country western music radio station and singing along with a song like “Wings of a Dove.” He shared his wisdom, sometimes drawing upon a scripture passage learned in his youth, such as “For many were called but few were chosen.” For many years, the evening rosary was a staple of their family prayer life. Annual family vacations were camping trips to the Highland lakes of central Texas where his children learned fishing and boating. In his 30’s, he took up golf, a sport that he played throughout his life and taught to his children. Though he valued education, the demands of family and work life prevented him from obtaining a college education; nonetheless, he supported his wife and five children through college.

Dan retired from “The Phone Company” after 39 years of service but remained active in the charitable work of the Telephone Pioneers. Dan and Rita spent their very active retirements with family and friends, playing golf, square dancing, attending theater, praying weekly at Eucharistic adoration, enjoying San Antonio culture, and traveling both domestically and internationally. They enjoyed attending weddings of young relatives where they would find that the couple left dancing for being married the longest was them.

Dan was blessed with a wonderful memory throughout his life. He drew upon his memories to tell stories, both those handed down to him and from his own experience, until a few days before he passed from this life. His stories provided a rich personal perspective on the challenges our country faced and met in the 20th century.

Dan was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 67 years, Rita L. Houston; parents, Reuben A. and Margaret M. Houston; siblings Richard A. Houston (Charlene), Joseph L. Houston (Christine), David D. Houston, Kathleen E. Moore (Donald), Leo V. Houston, Samuel R. Houston.

Dan is survived by his sister, Anna Joan Geary of Kingsville; children Daniel X. Houston, Jr. (Linda), Lawrence A. Houston, Thomas E. Houston (Wayne), Lilian M. Houston, and Gregory J. Houston (Laura); grandchildren Jonathan Houston (Angela), Tiffany Wishert (Chad), Mark Houston (Cierra), Shannon Houston, Daniel Houston III, Paul Houston, Clare Houston, and Mia Estrada-Houston; great-grandchildren Noah, Zaden, James, Abigail, Leah, Aria, Maddox, and Madison; and numerous nephews and nieces.

The services for Dan will be held October 10 and 11. The service on Sunday will be held at Porter Loring North (2102 N Loop 1604 E, San Antonio): Family Viewing at 5 p.m.; guests welcomed 6 – 7 p.m.; Rosary at 7 p.m. On Monday, the Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Anthony de Padua Church (102 Lorenz Road, San Antonio) at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Ft. Sam Houston at 1 p.m. followed by a reception at St. Anthony de Padua Church.