James Homer Houston, Jr. – Obituary
July 15, 1938 – October 19, 2024
James Homer Houston, Jr. – proud member of the SAR
James Homer Houston, Jr. of Milford, OH. Beloved husband of the late Eileen Houston (nee Barili). Loving father of James Homer (Samantha) Houston, III, Scott Ewing Houston, II and Elizabeth Houston (Garrett) Sager. Proud grandfather of Lillian Barili Sager, Julia Elizabeth Sager, Colin James Houston, Caleb Ellis Houston, Chloe Eileen Houston and Capri James Houston. Passed away October 19, 2024, at the age of 86.
A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, October 24 at 12:30 PM at Sycamore Presbyterian Church, 11800 Mason Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45249.
Private interment Spring Grove Cemetery where the Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (CCSAR) each year honors Civil War Patriots as part of the Wreaths Across America event in early in December. The CCSAR will remember Jim fondly during the upcoming Wreaths Across America event scheduled at Spring Grove Cemetery on Saturday December 14th at noon.
James lived a very full life. Born in West Grove, PA he attended Lehigh University, achieving a dual degree in Metallurgical Engineering and Art & Sciences. He also earned an MBA at the University of Illinois. His professional career involved positions at Bethlehem Steel, DuPont, The Franklin Mint and Donnelly Directory and took him from Pennsylvania all the way to Penang, Malaysia where he helped oversee the building of a porcelain plant. He later settled in Cincinnati, OH, which he would call home for the remainder of his life.
He cultivated several interests, having earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America in his youth and later in life being a longtime, active member in the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and the United States Power Squadrons. He also loved playing tennis and working in the outdoors.
Jim was also a member of the Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) where he was an active member and most recently the Chairman of the CCSAR Audit Committee. Jim’s always carried a smile and his SAR friends will miss him very much.
Jim Houston a member of the CCSAR Blue Coats attending a grave marking event
A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, October 24 at 12:30 PM at Sycamore Presbyterian Church, 11800 Mason Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45249. Private interment will be in Spring Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War or to the Boy Scouts of America.
Update 10/23 – Michael Gunn shares his experience with Jim Houston “Tex”
“Tex was an original. Small in stature, BIG on personality.
He was old school. Kind but stern. He was “Do it Yourself” before that was even a saying. He’d do your taxes then fix your car. He cut down a tree then beat you in tennis, (as he complimented you all the way).
Expiration dates were suggestions, silverware could easily be replaced by a finger, and the best option, was always the cheapest one 😉
He always had a story for you, but when you told one, he listened and always had questions. He was invested in you, always wanting to know more.
It was a hard last few months as his body began to give out on him. He was fiercely independent, but then required assistance. That said, he worked hard to accomplish his goal of staying at home until the end.
He will be missed by all that knew him, because if you knew Tex, he made an impact on you. He’s now at peace in the arms of the love of his life in Heaven.
Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, October 24th at Sycamore Presbyterian Church – Cincinnati, Ohio, at 12:30 PM. He was an Eagle Scout, member of the Sons of Union Veterans and the Sons of the American Revolution.
He is one of the early recipients of the SAR Patriot Grave Medal, having participated in 30 Ceremonies with the Cincinnati Chapter.
Jim Houston “Tex” speaking at an SAR Event
We in the Cincinnati-SAR Chapter will miss him at Grave marking events, as Auditor and one of the Charter Blue Jackets. MBG”
Jim Houston (blue shirt) attending a SAR Grave Marking event
