James Howard Houston

James H. Houston, better known as “Jimp” or “Jim”, of Bastrop, Texas, was the youngest son born to Isiah Houston and Lula Mae Abrams Houston, October 18, 1930. Through the guidance of loving, Christian parents, he accepted Christ as his lord and savior at an early age. He was baptized by the late Rev. D. M. Hall at Mount Rose Baptist Church in Bastrop, Texas.

Jim attended the same school, Emile High School, from first grade until graduation in 1949. He played and was captain and an accomplished athlete of the football, basketball, and tennis teams. In 1949, He won the state title in singles, and he and his best friend, Clarence McIntosh, won the doubles. That, same year, Jim graduated Valedictorian of his senior class.

After graduation, he attended Samuel Huston College for three years, before being drafted into the armed forces in September 1952. Upon completing his service obligation in August of 1954, Jim was discharged and returned to Austin to continue his education. When he returned, he found that Samuel Huston College and Tillotson College had merged to form Huston-Tillotson College. In August 1955, Jim received his Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education and began his teaching career in Navasota, Texas, as a junior high school teacher and coach, under the principalship of his uncle, James H. Payne. After two years, he resigned to attend People’s Business College for one year and worked as a Route Salesman for Driskill Laundry until 1962. Jim returned to Navasota, Texas to continue his teaching career as a high school Mathematics Teacher and assisted in coaching football and basketball. In 1965, he decided to return to college to pursue a master’s degree. He received a Master of Arts in Counseling from Prairie View A&M College in August of 1967. After graduation, he worked for Gary Job Corps as an Orientation Counselor. He returned to the education system in 1971 as an Attendance Investigator with Austin Independent School District. After about a year, Jim began his counseling career at Burnet Junior High School around 1972. He worked at Burnet for about two years before being promoted and transferred to Crockett High School as a Counselor where he retired on May 31, 1992.

Jim married Eunice N. Henderson on March 24, 1967, they remained married for nearly 27 years.

James “Jimp” will certainly be remembered for his love of crossword puzzles, his sharp style of dressing with hats to match of course, his cooking (especially those New Year’s Eve fried pigs’ feet), his witty sense of humor, his love for his antique cars and many other fond memories.

He was a member of Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church, under the pastoral leadership of N.W. Bacon before joining Mount Sinai Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Dr. A. W. Anthony Mays, Sr. Pastor. Jim remained a faithful member for 28 years until his declining health would no longer allow him to physically attend. He was, however, able to continue tithing and listening to the services by phone as a devoted servant to the Lord.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Isiah Houston and Lula Mae Abrams Houston, two brothers, Stanley Houston and Ross A. Houston, and one grandchild, Teno Baltrip.

He leaves to cherish his memory, one Son Rev. Leonard Wilson (Barbara), Elgin, TX; three daughters Twarina Dugas (Willie), Pearland, TX; Delores Jones, Houston, TX; and Katrina Loud (Tyrone), San Antonio, TX; Six grandchildren, Monica Reese, Brittany Wilson, Joshua Hill, Tyrone Loud, II, and Quincy Loud; and six great-grandchildren, a nephew, nieces, and a host of family and friends.

A visitation for James will be held Friday, March 17, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, 8500 Cameron Rd, Austin, TX 78754. A funeral service will occur Friday, March 17, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM, 8500 Cameron Rd, Austin, TX 78754. A graveside service will occur Friday, March 17, 2023, from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Fairview Cemetery, 1307 State Hwy 95, Bastrop, TX 78602.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldenforestoaks.com for the Houston family.