Philip L. Houston

Philip Lee "Phil" Houston, 85, passed away on January 30, 2024, at Our Hospice of South-Central Indiana. He was born on August 20, 1938, in Winchester, Indiana, to Herschel and Mildred (Allison) Houston. He grew up in Richmond, Indiana, where his father was a junior high school principal. He attended the Richmond Schools and graduated from Richmond High School in 1956. While attending RHS, he was an outstanding three-year varsity basketball player and served as president of the student council. He moved on to DePauw University where he was also a varsity basketball player, and member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity graduating in 1960.
Phil taught English and Spanish at Connersville High School from 1960-1963, and at Richmond High School from 1963-1965. He began his administrative career in 1965 as an assistant principal at Maconaquah High School before moving on to become principal of Brookville Junior High School. A mentor advised him, "if you want to be principal, take a job where you have to do everything," and Brookville Junior High offered him that opportunity. He was principal at Plymouth High School from 1970-1977, then moved to Columbus to serve as principal at Columbus East for 21 years, retiring in 1998.
While living in Brookville, he met his bride-to-be, Joan Kirklin, who was beginning her teaching career in Connersville. They married on December 21, 1968. Phil and Joan shared 55 years of marriage, a marriage strengthened by their mutual commitment to their children and grandchildren, Columbus East High School, and their church. Phil was a wonderful father to their three daughters: Lori, Amy, and Julie. He was steadfast in his support of their interests, provided a listening ear, and instilled in them a strong foundation of love and encouragement that followed them into their adult lives. He also loved spending time with his five grandchildren, always letting them know how special they were.
He was proud of the faculty and students at Columbus East, to whom he became "Uncle Phil." He strongly felt his leadership role was to support the outstanding teachers as they use their own talents and ideas to teach and guide their students. He encouraged the students in their extracurricular activities by spending countless evenings and weekends attending sports events, plays, concerts, and academic contests. He ran a tight ship at Columbus East. A former student commented on Facebook, "Mr. Houston was the right amount of intimidating and kind he had a way of helping us through those teenage years." Even twenty-five years after retirement, he maintained close relationships with many faculty and students from his Columbus East years. Phil transformed Columbus East from an "upstart" new high school to a well-respected academic institution, ahead of it's time with it's flexible scheduling, resource center, and innovative curriculum. To quote the current East principal, Dr. Parsons, "Mr. Houston carried the East torch with tremendous pride and enthusiasm "
To anyone who knew Phil well, his integrity, kindness, and ability to discern and comment on a person's strengths were his defining traits. This unique quality started at home with his daughters, extended to close friends, and even included virtual strangers – a maintenance worker, restaurant server, or tour guide. He loved to share an individual's special qualities or small kindnesses with everyone within hearing distance!
Phil was involved in numerous community organizations. His membership and leadership at First United Methodist Church were especially important to him. The church provided him with meaningful worship services, opportunities for service, and many dear friends. He served on various committees throughout the years, helped to build a new playground, and performed such job as carrying heavy equipment and scraping plates at the First UMC Smorgasbord.
Phil is survived by his wife, Joan; daughters, Lori (Scott) Brame, Amy (Chris) Oler, and Julie Houston; grandchildren, Elizabeth Brame, Wesley Brame, Philip Crump, Molly Oler, and Michael Oler; niece, Terri (Dave) Gillay; nephews, Jeff (Jessie) Houston, and Tim (Megan) Houston, and his beloved large Kirklin extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hershel Houston, and Mildred Houston Williams; step-father, Robert Williams; deeply loved, and cherished younger brother, Dick Houston; sister-in-law, Donna Houston; and parents-in-law, George, and Francis Kirklin.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made through the funeral home to Columbus East Endowment Fund (Please make checks out to Columbus East Alumni Association, P.O. Box 1372, Columbus, IN 47202), First United Methodist Church, or Our Hospice of South-Central Indiana.
The funeral will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 2, 2024, at First United Methodist Church with Reverend Howard Boles officiating the service. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.
You are invited to view his video tribute, light a virtual candle of remembrance, or leave a condolence message to the family online at www.jewellrittman.com.