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F.R. "Randy" Houck
12/11/1937 - 10/29/2016
F.R. "Randy" Houck
12/11/1937 - 10/29/2016
Obituary
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BORN
12/11/1937
DIED
10/29/2016
F.R. Houck Obituary
Randy passed away peacefully and surrounded by loving family on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016, in Tyler at The Hospice of East Texas after a short illness.
He was born Dec. 11, 1937, in Columbia County, Arkansas, to Freddie Houck and Gladys Kirkpatrick Houck.
Randy was a member of Lane's Chapel United Methodist Church. He was a board member for Christian Women's Job Corps, a volunteer constable, and a volunteer with the Tyler Police Department and the Civil Air Patrol. He graduated from Southern Arkansas University. After serving as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, and in Vietnam for several years, Randy worked with the Navigators, a Christian ministry. Eventually, he started his own human resources management consulting firm.
Randy's interests included American, Texas and Civil War history, non-fiction reading, flying, teaching Sunday school, and religious and philosophical discussion and debate. He was a lifelong student of the Bible and loved testifying about God's grace. He also was a great conversationalist and an avid story teller. He had a very sharp mind and a rich sense of humor, as well as lots of compassion and empathy. Randy was full of energy and creativity as well. He was a "man's man," but was also uniquely tenderhearted, and his life was full to the brim of interesting encounters and adventures. He may truly have been "the world's most interesting man."
Randy was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving family including his wife of 57 years, Linda Mathews Houck; daughter, Melanie Poland and her husband Michael; and his sons, Kirby Houck and Grayson Houck. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren who all call him "Boppa," as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family. Every child in his life adored him. He has friends and family scattered across many countries.
Visitation is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler.
Randy loved animals, especially dogs. If desired, donations may be made in his memory to CCAPs Animal Shelter: P.O. Box 2003, Magnolia, Arkansas, 71753. www.ccapspaws.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Bill Boyd
October 26, 2020
Randy, it still hurts that you’re not here with us. There’s not many people a man can say that played a major role in their lives, but you are one of the few I claim. Miss talking to you and Linda. I’d love to hear what you think about our present political situation. Always loved your insight. Miss you my friend.
Bill Boyd.
Johan Temmerman
October 27, 2019
Although Randy's passing is already three years ago, even his friends who live at a great distance from Arkansas remember him vividly and miss his conversation. His was a friendship in word and deed, a friendship worth having. Few other Americans I know can match the depth of his insights, the righteousness of his convictions and his outlook on life. Sharing your thoughts with Randy almost always meant you learned something from him. Randy was not a man to forget, and I won't as long as I live.
Melanie Poland
October 26, 2019
Dad, three years have passed and I miss you and your warmth every single day.
Bill Boyd
November 22, 2016
I just learned of his passing today. I feel hollow inside. He was my mentor and trusted advisor. My rock when I had troubling times. this was a man's man!! Truly loved him.
Linda, Melanie, words are hard to come by at this time. Bill Boyd (squirrel man)
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Lindsey Hulsey
November 10, 2016
Randy has a special place in my heart, and I have so many sweet memories hanging out with him and Linda at the house with the windmill. He performed my wedding ceremony on that property too. That really meant a lot to me. I'm so glad I was able to know him and love him.
November 3, 2016
I only knew Randy from the internet but I will truly miss our discussions, which I felt privileged in being able to have with Randy. We sometimes had different takes on things, we both were pretty opinionated, but Randy was almost always pretty informed about matters. He was always interested in acquiring more information.
Philip Raitz (Phil from Canada)
Jerry Blackerby
November 3, 2016
I only knew Randy the last few years through the Internet. We both shared many of the same beliefs, both about Christianity and politics. After he moved to Tyler, I was visiting my son in the hospital in Tyler and my sister who lives near Mineola. My sister and I met Randy for coffee one afternoon. Great man. He will be missed.
Mikie Pearce
November 2, 2016
Even though he was my 2nd cousin, I always called him Uncle Randy. I'll always remember him and my Dad laughing about something that uncle Freddy or uncle Willis had said or about some crazy stunt they pulled. He was very kind to me and always took time for me if I called him. We didn't talk very often but we became closer after my Dad died, he would give me good advice and he always taught me something about where I come from. I won't forget the last time I saw him which was up at the farm in Magnolia. We had a good visit walking around talking about him and my Dad growing up there. I'm so sorry for your loss and I'll be praying for y'all. I'll miss Uncle Randy.
Candace Guzman-Sher
November 1, 2016
Boppa...I still can't believe I won't ever hug or kiss you again. I won't ever hear your war stories, your poems, or jokes. I will never see your smile or smell you as I hug your neck. I feel like I'm in a bad dream and that I'm going to wake up and there you will be, just as strong and healthy as ever. We've been so blessed to have you in our lives. Like Momma says, "not everyone gets a Boppa." So even though it breaks my heart to never experience those precious moments again, I am so grateful that I had them. I love you up to the sky, down to the ground, this way, that way, and all around. This isn't goodbye but I'm sure going to miss you...until we meet again Boppa...
Brittany Houck
November 1, 2016
You will be forever missed grandpa!
"Sonny"
Cheryl Houck
November 1, 2016
All my life I've been hearing from my Grandfather, Joy N Houck Sr that he was on his way to stay with "Sonny" on his way to his next destination. I never knew who he was until recent years. I later learned that he was the family historian and he would often share genealogy as well as family Houck lore with me after my initial encounter with him on the website cinema treasures where he corrected my incorrectly shared dates. All my life, my Grandmother Hazel Houck would let me rummage through and pick out any family photos, of which there were many large black and whites full of pilots, including my Grandmother, Grandfather, all his brothers including Randy's Dad, my father, all my paternal Uncles and movie sets, movie stars. I didn't inherit these photos, they were given to me and I've been lugging them around for years. Randy and I shared this same love of photos and family history. Recently he sent me a thumb drive including all the information and photos he had collected over the years, "in case my house burns down, someone will have it." I truly came to know Uncle Randy's kindness on a deeper level when my Father, Clyde Houck died suddenly last October. Randy was one of the first people I called because he and my Father had grown close in the last decade, during which my Father was rather isolated and homebound. Randy was there for me, to help me cope because as he said "the Houck's are a different breed and particularly Houck fathers" and he knew I needed to speak to someone who understood the Houck dynamic. He was the only example of Houck family man, an all out always there father, that I've ever known. He and my Father had so much in common: everything from aviation, family history, guns to politics. He told me that "your father had a tremendous mind." Having inherited my Father's computers and seen his emails, I can see hundreds of emails from Randy. Recently Randy sent me a thumb drive with all of the Houck history and photos that he had. I was also sending him copies of the photos I had and he would identify the people, backstory and even airplanes in the photos. I talked him in to letting someone interview him, using my questions of course, with someone's video camera, to capture his stories for posterity. Sadly, we didn't get the chance to do this. I had finally sent him a copy of a photo that he had that had "disappeared" of Charlton Heston shaking his Uncle Willis' hand. I was excited that he would have it again. I didn't get my usual instant reply with narrative and began to worry. Randy, thank you for being a part of my life, sharing my loss, and mostly validating my grief and pain. My Father respected you and I will miss having you in my life. Say hello to Dad and the two of you can continue your dialogues as you traverse the heavens together. Love Always, Cheryl
Johan and Yolande Temmmerman
November 1, 2016
We will always cherish our fond memories of you as a kind, generous, intelligent,and open-minded friend. Though a large distance separated us, common values united us. We will miss you, Randy. You have been a dear friend for many year. It has been a real privilege knowing you.
Aaron and Jana Wynn
November 1, 2016
May knowing you are in the hearts and thoughts of others help you and yours
through this time of sorrow. Our thoughts and prayers are with you today and every day.
Tom Wilson
November 1, 2016
A great man and a great friend. We love you Randy, Linda, Melanie, Kirby and Grayson. Tom & Jan Wilson
Linda Keaster
November 1, 2016
Prayers for you, Linda and family! We grew up with Sonny.
Reinout Temmerman
November 1, 2016
Uncle Randy, thanks for everything throughout these past 15 years. I'll miss you a lot. Rest in peace now my friend.
Melanie Houck Poland
November 1, 2016
Dad, there is a hole in my heart. I will always be your baby girl, no matter how old I am.
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7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, Tyler, TX 75703
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