Howard “Pinky” L. Houston Jr.

1928 - 2025

Howard L. "Pinky" Houston Jr., 97, passed away Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, peacefully in his home surrounded by his family.
He was born June 23, 1928, in Butler, the son of the late Howard L. Houston Sr. and the late Lucille Reynolds Houston.
He graduated from Butler High School, Class of 1947. Pinky was employed by Peoples Telephone directly out of high school, working in the engineering department. He also proudly served his country in Tokyo, Japan, from 1955 to 1957. Following his military service, he returned to the phone company, working his way up through mergers and promotions until he finally retired as Vice President of Revenues and External Affairs in 1990, after 43 years of service.
Pinky was a member of the Shriners as well as the Butler Masonic Temple. He and his family were longtime members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Butler until their relocation to Carlisle, Pa. in 1977. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved his time at the family hunting camp in Tionesta, and he enjoyed many, many fishing trips to Canada. He was known to be a passionate antique collector and could often be found at local auctions and flea markets.
Most of all, Pinky was a hard-working and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend. He will be remembered very fondly as a true family man.
Surviving are his wife of 72 years, Ceola J. (Engle) Houston, whom he married April 11, 1953; a daughter, Joyce Lerew at home; a son, David (Laurie) Houston, of Carlisle; a daughter- in-law, Terri Houston, of Butler; a sister, Thelma Baldauf, of Butler; eight grandchildren, Howard (Elycia) Houston, of Butler, Christina (Carmen) Shullo, of Butler, Joshua (Morgan) Houston, of Butler, Kurea Houston, of Las Vegas, Nev., Courtney (Michael) Lungo, of Jupiter, Fla., Brooke Meyers, of New Cumberland, Haley (Sean) Stark, of Carlisle, and Ethan Houston, of Carlisle; 11 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Pinky was preceded in death by his son, Howard G. Houston; his son, Robert A. Houston; his sister, Catherine Greenbarg; his sister, Shirley McKinney; as well as several brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law.
The Houston family extends their gratitude to the hospice team at Amedisys in Carlisle for their care and love during these difficult weeks.
The family sends a deep and heartfelt "thank you" to Pinky's son, David Houston, for stepping in with his immense devotion to his father's care and dignity in his final weeks and days. Without you, David, the distance between Carlisle and Butler would have felt impossibly far. Your sacrifice and attention lent us all so much peace and everything you have done will forever be remembered.
Family and friends local to Butler are invited to a celebration of life for Pinky Houston on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 107 Staley Ave., Butler, at 11 a.m., with a luncheon to follow at the church.
Interment was Nov. 13, at Westminster Cemetery in Carlisle.