Walter Monroe Houston Jr. | Obituaries

Walter Monroe Houston Jr.

He was also preceded in death by sisters Mary “Kitty” Hamilton, Sylvia Coker and son Timothy Houston.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Lanora Reid Houston; brother Harris Houston (Carmen); son David Houston (Patsy); daughter-in-law Laurie Houston; granddaughters Jessica Watts, Stephanie Pellegrin (Owen) and Nicole Prestwood (Cabe); grandson Walter “Scott” Houston; and three great-grandchildren, Bryce Watts, Parker Prestwood and Kate Prestwood.

After serving in the U.S. Navy on the USS Navajo during the Korean War, Monroe worked as a mechanic for Schlumberger Well Services before retiring in 1991. He was installed in Masonic Lodge 414 in Laurel, serving as Super Excellent Master in 1975 and Worshipful Master in 1975. 1978 before obtaining a Past Master in 1979.

Monroe was a founding member of the Jones County Genealogical and Historical Organization and was a lifetime member, having made the first written report of all persons buried in Hickory Grove Cemetery.

A lover of history, dogs, shooting sports, and Alley Oop comic books, Monroe was a true Renaissance man. Over the years, he was a beekeeper, a winemaker, made his own ammunition and forged two perfectly functional cannons. When asked how he was on any given day, his response was always: “Grumpy!” followed by a little laugh.

Funeral services and visitation will be held at the First Baptist Church of Shady Grove on Saturday, May 25. Visitation for family begins at 12:30 p.m., friends at 1 p.m. and funeral at 2 p.m. Joe Bush, Ed Harper, Douglas Kelley, Danny Temple, Daniel Tucker and Larry Watts will serve as pallbearers. Music will be performed by Cynthia Bush and Danny Temple. The Rev. Chris Sledge will officiate.

To sign the online guestbook, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.