George C. Houck

RED LION George C. Houck, 85, entered into rest after a lengthy illness at 8:20 p.m. Monday, December 1, 2008, at Manor Care South. He was the husband of Betty J. (Roddy) Laucks Houck whom he married June 12, 1993, celebrating 15 years together. He was born June 21, 1923, in East Berlin, and was the son of the late Roy and Nina Houck, who adopted him at the age of four. Mr. Houck was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He taught school for 25 years and was also a Secondary School administrator for approximately five years. He was an Instrumental/Vocal Music Teacher. Mr. Houck was a graduate of Biglerville High School and earned his B.S. from West Chester University. He received his M.S. from University of Cincinnati and his Secondary Principal Certification from Scranton University. He also did graduate studies at the following schools: Cincinnati/College Conservatory of Music-Voice, Temple University, Elizabethtown College, and Millersville University. Mr. Houck coached Boys Varsity Basketball for 24 years and Girls Varsity Basketball for four years. He started the AAA State Basketball playoffs in Harrisburg and was known as "Coach" to all of his players. Mr. Houck was a choir director in all the towns in which he lived while teaching. He did vocal solo work for special occasions in churches using many of his sermons and songs. He enjoyed singing, singing, singing!!! Mr. Houck has recorded three albums on the RCA label entitled Sermon In Song I, II, III. He has been presenting "Sermons In Song" for many years. Mr. Houck was a member of Red Lion Masonic Lodge #649 F&AM and was very active in the Red Lion Lions Club. He was a member of St. Paul's U.M. Church in Red Lion for 15 years, where he sang solos and served on the pastor parish committee. He also enjoyed golfing, fishing, traveling, and civil war history. In addition to his wife, Betty J. (Roddy) Laucks Houck of Red Lion, he is survived by three stepdaughters, Joette L. Laucks Allphin of Red Lion and husband, Robert, Gerdith J. Laucks Schmucker of Doylestown and husband, Paul, and Amy Jo Laucks Ficiak of Warminster and husband, Steve; one stepson, Gary C. Laucks of York and wife, Teresa; nine stepgrandchildren; one daughter, Robin Picket of Jacksonville, Fla., and husband, Michael; and one grandson. He was preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers. There will be a viewing from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday at St. Paul's U.M. Church, 45 1st Ave., Red Lion. The service will follow at 11 a.m. with his pastor, the Rev. Dr. Charles W. Salisbury, officiating. Burial will be at Red Lion Cemetery with full military rites by Dallastown American Legion Post 605. Burg Funeral Home, Inc., 134 W. Broadway, Red Lion, is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be offered to St. Paul's U.M. Church "Heating Fund", P.O. Box 250, Red Lion, PA 17356.