Robert Bruce Houston

Robert Bruce Houston
November 18, 1939 - December 20, 2025
After the morning misty fog lifts from the Riverbend Valley, within the Nantahala Forest and the Great Smokey Mountains, the fast-moving clouds keep careful watch of the bountiful farms in Franklin, North Carolina.
Bruce was born on November 18,1939 in a small country home along the Little Tennessee River. He and his older brother Lamar were raised mostly by their maternal grandmother, lovingly known as Granny. She instilled a strong work ethic, taught family values and cultivated a faith that would make these brothers successful.
Bruce's early life was defined by farming and mischief. Rumors say he could be seen chasing an old white mule in the pasture, just to get out of a chore; or roughing around with Lamar in the barn and stabbing him in the leg with a pitchfork. Either way, farm-life shaped him to be the strong, determined man we all knew.
After graduating from Franklin High School, Bruce went on a short stay to play football at Clemson University and then to the University of Tennessee. After football, he moved to Atlanta, enlisted in the USMC and began a short career as a restauranteur where he met the love of his life, Miss Mandy Matthews of Athens Georgia. They met at a UGA football game and were married for 62 wonderful years.
Bruce spent his early career years as a salesman for Allis Chalmers and relocated across the United States. However, in 1976, Bruce began another adventure - Entrepreneur. He built and operated successful businesses Skate-A-Long USA (Lilburn GA; Roswell GA), Southern Athletic Club and then retired to develop residential properties in Buford Georgia.
Bruce lived a long, full life and experienced the joy of sharing special times with his children and grandchildren. The most special times were spent coaching or spectating his son or grandson's football years from little league through college.
On December 20, 2025, at the age of 86, Bruce passed peacefully back to the misty, foggy mountains to join his Angel, Mandy. He is predeceased by his father Bob Houston, mother Shirley Duvall Houston, brother Max Houston and his bride, Mandy Houston.
He is survived by his brother Lamar (Jane) Houston, sister-in-law Jennifer Matthews Napolitan, his children Brucinda (Ric) Crosby, Shane (Tiffany) Houston and his five grandsons Preston and Peyton Crosby, Kollin (Matthew) Houston, Kolton (Lexie) Houston, Konnor (Kalyn) Houston, great grandson Harvey Franklin Houston, and another great grandson coming soon.
A visitation will be held Tuesday, December 23, 2025, from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. in the Buford Chapel of Crowell Brothers Funeral Homes & Crematory, 201 Morningside Dr, Buford, GA 30518
There will be a small, private Graveside service at 1:00 p.m. at the Itola Baptist Church Cemetery, with Kolton Houston officiating, in Franklin, North Carolina.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Duluth United Methodist Church, Duluth Georgia, https://duluthumc.org.
"If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to God." Romans 14:8
On-line condolences may be expressed at www.crowellbrothers.com. Arrangements entrusted to Crowell Brothers Funeral Homes & Crematory, 201 Morningside Dr., Buford, GA 30518. 770-945-9999.