JOHN THOMAS HOUSTON, a resident of Clever, Missouri, native of the Macon Community in Fayette County, U.S. Marine Veteran and husband of Geneva Houston died Monday, September 28, 2009 at the St. John�s Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. He was 74 years of age.

Funeral services were conducted at 1 P.M. Saturday, October 3rd at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Rev. Kenny Hodnette, Pastor of the New Life Baptist Church in Memphis, officiating. Interment with Military Honors followed in the Macon Cemetery at Macon, Tennessee. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes-West Chapel of Oakland.

Mr. Houston was born August 25, 1935 in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of Levern and Lorine (Darnell) Houston.

He was united in marriage to Geneva Ruth Letts on June 8, 1989.

He served his country in the U.S. Marines, was a member of the Gate of the Temple #422, the 32nd degree Scottish Rite Valley of Joplin, and the Abou Ben Adhem Shrine. He was also a member of the Teamsters Union, and had retired from Roadway Express.

Mr. Houston loved INDY Racing, hunting and fishing.

His parents, three brothers, and two sisters preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Geneva, of the home; seven children: Brenda Murphy of Horseshoe Lake, AR; Johnny Houston of Monticello, AR; Billy Houston, Danny Houston, and Mike Houston, all of West Memphis, AR, Joyce Bodiford of Horseshoe Lake, AR, and Sara Cox of Springfield, MO; four step children: Ed Sills of Quapaw, OK; Tammy Mogab of Sullivan, MO; Kenny Scrivens of Clever, MO and Shawn Scrivens of Rolla, MO; 18 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; four siblings: Bobby Houston, Larry Houston, and Linda Mathews, all of Memphis; Joan Long of Byhalia, MS and many other extended family members and close friends.

Those honored to serve as casket bearers were Barry Looney, Jr., Michael Houston, Rusty Houston, Justin Houston, Allen Houston and Jeff Lackie.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the church, charity or organization of the donor's choice.