Raymond "Gene" Eugene Houston

Raymond E. “Gene” Houston, son of Edward and Gracie Houston, was born May 20, 1947 in Council Grove, Kansas. He graduated from Stanton County High School in Johnson, Kansas and attended Southern Nazarene University.

Through the years, he was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Anadarko, Oklahoma; Piedmont Church of the Nazarene; and Bethany First Church of the Nazarene. He served in various roles while attending these churches which included serving on the Board, teaching Sunday School classes, music ministry, and sharing his beautiful bass voice singing specials and with the southern gospel quartet “Glory Bound”.

After retirement as a District Sales Representative with McKee Foods (Little Debbie’s), he enjoyed fishing, working in the yard and being with his family. Gene had a huge personality which included his wonderful humor and sweet disposition. He loved to hunt pheasant in Kansas and fishing anytime he could find time to wet a hook. One of the many attributes he had was to play tricks on his children and grandchildren. But he would get paid back every so often. He also enjoyed racing his mini sprint car and watching Nascar. Gene just loved life.

He won his fight and quietly left his earthly life on February 14, 2024. He was preceded in death by his little brother, Johnnie Houston; mother, Gracie Houston; and father, Edward Houston. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Graydon and Karen Houston; his wife, Mary Houston; son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Aimee Houston; daughter and son-in-law, Krystal and Joe Haynes; grandchildren, Blake Haynes, Lauren Woodruff, Kate Houston, Evan Houston, and Dylan Houston; and great grandchildren, Titus Griffin, Warren Haynes, Ashton Haynes, and Carter Woodruff; and stepsons Danny Austin, Trent Austin, Anthony Lombardi and their families.

The family would like to thank Jerad Johnson of J. Johnson Recovery Fitness; Senior Helpers for their in-home care; The Gardens of Quail Springs Memory Care Unit; Lisa Sanders; Michele Robinson; Integris Baptist Hospital; Affinity Care of Oklahoma; and Steve Klabzuba and his staff at Graceful Living OKC, for their wonderful care of Gene. And a special thank you to (i) Will Stemen for his monthly visits to read scripture and pray with Gene, and (ii) Bethany First Church of the Nazarene.

A memorial service will be held at the Bethany First Church of the Nazarene on March 1, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. with inurnment following at the Rose Hill Burial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Kids Fishing Foundation through the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Foundation; Brainxcite, Inc.; or a charity of your choice.