James Douglas Houston
May 22, 1925 – August 26, 2014

James Douglas Houston, 89 of Jefferson City, Missouri passed away at his home on Tuesday, August 26, 2014.

The son of Noah Floyd and Gladys June (Morehouse) Houston, he was born on May 22, 1925 in rural Greentop, Missouri. He was a graduate of the Lancaster High School in 1942 and attended NESU in 1942-1943. On February 14, 1947 in Lancaster, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Betty J. Wilson.

Survivors include his wife, Betty J. (Wilson) Houston of the home; one brother, Richard L. Houston of Milan, Missouri; 2 sisters, Lucille Witten and husband, Robert of Trenton, Missouri and Mary Lou Hagglund of Ottumwa, Iowa; nieces and nephews, Sam Houston of Gainesville, Texas, Julie Jackson of Sandusky, Ohio and Cynthia Miller of Portland, Oregon, Paula Lauer of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa and Kristi Hagglund of Ottumwa, Iowa, Bill Witten of Kansas City, Missouri and Sue Witten of Kansas City, Missouri, Marc and Kathy Miller of Jefferson City, Missouri, Matt and Christine Miller of Camdenton, Missouri and Chris Miller of Jefferson City, Missouri and Jackie and George Frantz of Cave Creek, Arizona; other family members and many good friends.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents; 1 brother, Donald Houston and wife, Betty Jo Houston and 1 brother-in-law, Paul Hagglund.

Jim was a Past Master of Masonic Lodge of Love #259 of Lancaster, Missouri; Past President of Capital Shrine Club in Jefferson City, Missouri; Scottish Rite Valley of Columbia 32nd degree; U.S. Civil Defense Council, American Society of Professional Emergency Managers, MO Civil Defense Directors Association; was employed by Tri-County Electric Cooperative in Lancaster, Missouri from 1947 to 1962; was retired from the office of the Adjutant General of the State of Missouri where he was the Deputy Director of the State Emergency Management Agency and was also a member of the Community Christian Church in Jefferson City, Missouri.

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Graveside services will be held on Friday, August 29, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Arni Memorial Cemetery in Lancaster, Missouri with Sam Houston officiating. Musical selections of "Amazing Grace" and "In The Garden" will be performed by soloist, Cole Tippett. The Glenwood Masonic Lodge #427 will give Masonic services at the graveside services. Memorials have been established for the Glenwood Masonic Lodge #427. Online condolences may be expressed to the family by logging on to normanfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Norman Funeral Home of Lancaster, Missouri.